Students

ECON7017 – Ecological Economics

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

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Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rohan Best
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an introduction to ecological economics - a trans-disciplinary approach to the application of economics to issues of environmental management, development and human welfare, stressing the complex nature of the ecosystem within which economic activity is embedded and the crucial constraints imposed on the scale of human economic activity. Topics covered include sustainability and sustainable development, limits to economic growth, the definition and measurement of welfare and economic progress, and the development of policy for a closed and rapidly-filling world. The unit will be applied in focus, with significant use of case studies and an individual applied research component.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate competence in the use of advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
  • ULO2: Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
  • ULO3: Critically analyse the major theoretical approaches to the ecological analysis of environmental issues, the assumptions on which they are based and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters.
  • ULO4: Assess and compare policy alternatives in relation to environmental issues from the perspective of ecological economics.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Classes

Students are advised to check https://timetables.mq.edu.au for times and venues. This unit provides 3 hours face-to-face teaching per week consisting of lecture and tutorial components. It is recommended that students attend all lectures.

Recommended Texts

There is no required textbook. Some recommended references include: Daly, H.E. and Farley, J. (2010). Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications, Second Edition. Spash, C.L. (2017). Routledge Handbook of Ecological Economics. Thampapillai, D.J. and Ruth, M. (2019). Environmental Economics: Concepts, Methods and Policies.

Technology Used and Required: Unit Web Page

Lecture and tutorial material as well as up to date information concerning any aspect of the unit, including any changes to the schedule, will be available to students by logging on to the unit web page at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. You are strongly encouraged to regularly visit the website and use it as a resource centre to assist with your learning.

Unit Schedule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Section 1: Introduction, key principles - Introduction and definition of ecological economics - Key ecological and economic principles - Renewable and non-renewable resources

Section 2: Microeconomics - Markets - Externalities - Market failure

Section 3: Macroeconomics - Money - Globalisation - Measures of economic output and welfare - Sustainable development and limits to growth

Section 4: Policy - General overview - Carbon pricing - Distribution and equity

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.