Learning objectives
a) Knowledge and Understanding
The course aims to provide knowledge of the compatibility and
interaction between economy and environment, in particular as regards
the use of common resources and sustainable development. The
approach starts by widening the notion of "economic system" to
understand those parts traditionally excluded in economics textbooks,
due to the non-applicability of market mechanism.
b) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The aim of the course is to equip the student to solid theoretical tools in
order to analyze the complex relationships of the economic system with
its environment, including the social relations and collective preferences
in relation to environmental values. This will allow the student to manage
in their working and professional life the increasingly strict environmental
standards.
c) Making judgments
The object of the course is to provide tools for independent judgment
regarding the interpretation and management of economic facts that go
beyond the mainstream micro and macro textbooks.
d) Communication skills
This course is designed to provide suggestions and ideas for many issues
widely discussed in various institutional and organizational levels.
e) Learning skills
The course aims to provide the analytical tools to engage critically with
the complex picture of environmental issues in the global economy.
Prerequisites
Basic elements of micro- and macroeconomics
Course unit content
1. Economy and environment: two parts of a whole
2. Natural resources and market failure
3. Willingness to pay and Cost Struccture
4. Efficiency and Sustainability.
5. Public Policy for Natural Resources.
6. Analysis and Evaluation of Natural Resources.
7. The policy of sustainable resources management
8. Economic models of natural resources
9. Non-renewable resources: measuring the economic value and
exploitation
10.Renewable resources models: fresh water management and
exploitation
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
Barry c. Field, NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS, An Introduction.
Waveland Press Inc., 2008
Teaching methods
Lectures, examples and case studies, given in attendance. The course slides will not be available. However, a few short video-lecture (mp4) will be loaded weekly on the Elly
platform to revise some of the more complex topics of
the syllabus. These video will be available till the end of the Course (December 2021).
Enrollment online on Elly is needed to play these video.
Group work on specific topics is scheduled during the course, with classroom presentations.
Should the evolution of the pandemic make it necessary to come back to remote lectures, all necessary information will be provided on Elly.
Assessment methods and criteria
The written exam (taken in attendance) will last 60 minutes.
Knowledge and understanding, the ability to study
and to think strict and clearly about a subject, will be assessed through two open-ended questions dealing with theoretical or empirical topics in broad terms, for up to 20 marks.
The application of knowledge and understanding through a logical problem solving, will be assessed
through one open-ended question up to 10 marks.
The final vote (on the scale of thirty) corresponds to the sum of the three previuos scores. The “lode” will be awarded on the basis of a clear mastery of the subject.
Exam results will be available no later than one week and will be automatically (ESSE3) sent via e-mail at the institutional e-mail address of the student.
On-line registration is needed.
To make use of any kind of electronic device or notes during the exam is strictly forbidden.
Workgroup for attending students will be weighted as 10/30, and 20/30
will be marked for written exam. All other candidates will be weighetd on 20/30 marks.
Should the evolution of the pandemic make it necessary to come back to remote examination, all necessary information will be provided on Elly.
Other information
Not attending students will only have to rely on this syllabus to prepare
for the exam.
The syllabus for attending students will be slightly different, accordin to
study cases and slides used during lectures.
Please note that to attest attendancy a time-randomly raising of
signatures would be collected in classroom. Please check professor's
webpage for updates on dates of exams, office hours and so on.
Please note that the detailed syllabus will be available on Elly. It
describes in details the pages, tables and charts, and case studies to be
studied in the textbook. Students enrolled on Elly could play video-lectures till the end of the Course (December 2021). Please check professor's webpage for updates on
date of exams, office hours and so on.
