Students
ECON7017 – Ecological Economics
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
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
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content quizzes | 20% | No | Week 2-13 |
| Written reflections | 20% | No | Week 7 & First day of Macquarie University’s Exam Period |
| Research assignment summary | 20% | No | Week 8 |
| Research assignment | 40% | No | First day of Macquarie University’s Exam Period |
Content quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 2-13
Weighting: 20%
There will be weekly online quizzes from weeks 2-13. Each quiz involves 10 multiple choice questions on course content and readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in the use of advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
- Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
- 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.
- Assess and compare policy alternatives in relation to environmental issues from the perspective of ecological economics.
Written reflections
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7 & First day of Macquarie University’s Exam Period
Weighting: 20%
This task involves two reflective blog entries on course content. Students are to identify what the key points are from particular sections of the course, and explain why. Each 500 word blog is worth 10%.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in the use of advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
- Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
- Assess and compare policy alternatives in relation to environmental issues from the perspective of ecological economics.
Research assignment summary
Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%
This task involves the submission of a written 200 word abstract for the major research assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in the use of advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
- Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
- 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.
- Assess and compare policy alternatives in relation to environmental issues from the perspective of ecological economics.
Research assignment
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: First day of Macquarie University’s Exam Period
Weighting: 40%
The research assignment will include a 3000-word literature review of a topic in ecological economics.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in the use of advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
- Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
- 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.
- Assess and compare policy alternatives in relation to environmental issues from the perspective of ecological economics.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Classes Students are advised to check https://timetables.mq.edu.au for times. This unit provides 3 hours online learning per week consisting of recorded and interactive components. It is recommended that students attend all online sessions.
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.
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
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://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook