Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module ECON1051: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS

Department: Economics and Finance

ECON1051: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • GCSE Mathematics at grade A.

Corequisites

  • ECON1011 Principles of Economics

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To facilitate students' understanding of the way in which economists analyse environmental issues and contribute to decision-making about the environment. The basic principles of economics will be applied to environmental topics. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop key skills.

Content

  • The Economy and the environment.
  • Welfare economics
  • Environmental valuation
  • Analytical tools, eg. cost-benefit analysis, cost effectiveness.
  • Economic efficiency and markets, market failures, externalities.
  • Instruments of pollution control policy: bargaining, environmental standards, taxes and tradable permits.
  • Criteria for evaluating environmental policies.
  • Resource economics: renewable and non-renewable.
  • Energy economics
  • Global environmental problems
  • Topics in environmental economics and policy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Understand how Economics can help to assess and solve environmental problems
  • Be able to formulate environmental policy recommendations
Subject-specific Skills:
  • How to use economic tools and mathematical and graphical analysis for the solution of environmental problems
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication. - e.g. through summative assessment.
  • Initiative e.g. by searching relevant literature and information in preparation for assessed work

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures and seminars. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminarclasses, and private study.
  • Formative assessment is by two short essays, one in each term; and a contribution to a group presentation.
  • Summative assessment is by means of a written examination to test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 1 per week 2 hour 40
Revision Lecture 1 1 in term 3 2 hour 2
Seminars 7 2 in term 1, 5 in term 2 1 hour 7 ■
Preparation and Reading 151
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
One written examination 2 hours 30 minutes 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Two short essays, one in Term 1 and one in Term 2, and a contribution to a group presentation

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University