316-325 Ecological Economics

Coordinator

Prerequisites

This subject is an honours subject in Economics. It may only be taken as part of a pass degree (i.e. as a level 3 subject) with the permission of the lecturer. Permission will normally only be given provided a student has (a) completed the third year subject 316-324 Environmental Economics and (b) completed at least one environmental studies subject from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The understanding of the relationships between ecosystems and economic systems are central to many of humanities current problems and to building a sustainable future. Ecological economics is a new transdisciplinary approach to understanding and managing the ecology and economics of our world for sustainability, on local, regional, and global scales. This subject will focus on: the basic world view of ecological economics; accounting, modelling and analysis of ecological economic systems; necessary institutional changes to achieve sustainability. Use will be made of the tools for conventional economics and ecology as appropriate, and introduce new approaches where needed. It should be noted that no prior knowledge of ecology is assumed.

Assessment

Class assignments totalling approximately 3000 words (50%) and a 2-hour final examination (50%).

Prescribed Texts

• Costanza R, Ecological Economics: The Science and Management of Sustainability. Columbia University Press New York 1991.