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:

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.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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