Students
ECON8017 – Ecological Economics
2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer, Unit convenor
Rohan Best
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MActPrac or ECON632 or ECON6032 or ECON649 or ECON6049 or ECON991 or ECON8091
|
| 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: Apply 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 to address issues of environmental sustainability from the perspective of ecological economics.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content quizzes | 20% | No | Weeks 2-13 |
| Written reflections | 20% | No | Week 6 and 12 |
| Research assignment summary | 20% | No | Week 8 |
| Research assignment | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Content quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 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:
- Apply 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 to address issues of environmental sustainability from the perspective of ecological economics.
Written reflections
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 6 and 12
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:
- Apply 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 to address issues of environmental sustainability 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:
- Apply 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.
Research assignment
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Students are to select an observable problem of interest to them, and propose solutions based on what is covered in the unit. The word count is 3000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply 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 to address issues of environmental sustainability 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
Please see iLearn
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
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Student Enquiries
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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 2023.02 of the Handbook