Course Catalogue

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Economic activity takes place within the confines of the environment and it is now increasingly recognised that ecological constraints are starting to make themselves felt. This course explores the history of concerns over carrying capacity and various approaches to its measurement; the concept of sustainability and the relationship this has to the finite nature of our planet; the feasibility and ecological coherence of conventional economic ideas of growth and some of the key insights from the physical sciences, specifically thermodynamics. In addition, it presents some of the formal economic analysis relating to the optimal use / depletion of natural resources and the basic economic theory relating to pollution externalities and the options for regulation. On successful completion of the course, students should be able to identify different categories of resources; appreciate and analyse the implications of a closed thermodynamic system for economic activity; explain the reasons for both historical and current concerns over resource limitations; discuss differing interpretations of the concept of sustainability and recognise the key implications for development; demonstrate an appreciation of the standard economic theory of natural resource economics and its limitations; and comment critically on the feasibility of 'Sustainable Development'.

10 weekly lectures of 2 hours each.

Students must be registered on one of the associated programmes listed in this course specification.  

Coursework: group essay (25% of final grade for course)

Examination: two-hour online degree exam (75% of final grade for course).

a) To explain the background and history of concerns over carrying capacity and examine various approaches to its measurement.

b) To explore how we should interpret the concept of sustainability and the relationship this has to the finite nature of our planet.

c) To examine the feasibility and ecological coherence of conventional economic ideas of growth and to familiarise students with some of the key insights from the physical sciences, specifically thermodynamics.

d) To present some of the formal economic models relating to the optimal use/depletion of natural resources.

e) To demonstrate the basic economic theory relating to pollution externalities and the options for regulation.

f) To provide an opportunity to explore a relevant theme via the essay.

Students should be able to :

a) Identify different categories of resources and analyse the implications of a closed thermodynamic system for economic activity.

b) Explain the reasons for both historical and current concerns over resource limitations.

c) Discuss differing interpretations of the concept of sustainability (eg. strong vs. weak) and recognise the key implications for development.

d) Demonstrate a familiarity with the standard economic theory of natural resource economics and an appreciation of its limitations.

e) Comment critically on the feasibility of 'Sustainable Development'.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.