Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - ECON 260 D100

Environmental Economics (3)

Class Number: 4725

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2021
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Dec 11, 2021
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 103 or 200, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Economic analysis of environmental problems (water and air pollution, etc.). Evaluation of market failures due to externalities and public goods. Market and non-market regulation of environmental problems. Students with credit for ECON 360 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces students to the relationship between economic activity and the environment. The objective is to familiarize students with the causes, consequences and possible solutions to local and global environmental issues. Topics covered include the basics of markets, efficiency, market failure, sustainability, cost-benefit analysis, valuing the benefits and costs of environmental protection, policy tools and their assessment and applications to particular environmental problems.

Topics and Readings:

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Analytical Tools

  • Benefits and costs, Supply and demand
  • Market equilibrium and economic efficiency
  • Market failure; externalities, public goods and open access resources
Section 3: Environmental Analysis
  • Benefit Cost Analysis
  • Measuring benefits
  • Measuring costs
Section 4: Environmental Policy Analysis
  • Introduction and criteria for evaluation
  • Decentralized policies
  • Command and control strategies
  • Incentive-based strategies: environmental charges and subsidies
  • Incentive-based strategies: market trading systems
Section 5: Sustainability

Grading

  • Homework assignments 20%
  • In-class quizzes 10%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final exam 50%

NOTES:

Homework assignments will consist of either short essay questions based on assigned readings or problem sets.
In-Class quizzes: Each week there will be a 5-minute quiz covering material presented that week.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Field and Field, ISE Environmental Economics, 8th Edition, ISBN: Print copy- 9781260575491, eBook: 9781264646449


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.