AREC240

Introduction to Economics and the Environment

Spring 2009

Course description    

This course deals with the relationship between the economy and the environment.  It examines the causes of environmental problems and policies that can be used to address them.  The role of externalities, property rights, and public goods is considered.  There are two important themes of environmental economics: methods of measuring the benefits of environmental improvements and approaches to designing policies for addressing environmental problems. 

Location                      Plant Sciences (PLS) 1140

Time                            Tuesday, Thursday 2-3:15

Discussion sections    Section 0101   Mondays 1:00-1:50 PM  Symons 0215

                                    Section 0102    Mondays 2:00-2:50 PM  Symons 0215

Instructor                    C. McAusland

Office                          Symons 2124

Phone                          301 405 1288

Email                           cmcausland@arec.umd.edu

Office Hours               Tuesdays 11-11:50am

Teaching Assistant    Kota Minegishi

Office                          Symons 3118

Email                           kminegishi@arec.umd.edu

Office Hours               Tuesdays 3:30-5:30pm in Symons 2119

Required reading       Environmental Economics: An Introduction (5th edition), Barry C. Field and Martha K. Field, McGraw-Hill, 2009.  (Earlier editions are poor, but passable, substitutes.)

Online Course Materials

Syllabus, course schedule, announcements, assignments and Powerpoint slides from lecture are all available on the web.  Start at http://courses.arec.umd.edu/240/ for links to these resources; links to slides from lecture are available on the class schedule below. Materials related to Discussion Sections can be found at http://courses.arec.umd.edu/240/Minegishi/

Course Requirements

There will be three exams: two midterms and a final.  In addition, there will be six assignments.  The assignments will emphasize critical thinking and the use of economic principles in the analysis of environmental policy problems.  Class participation and discussion are encouraged.

Grading

The course grade will be computed as follows:

We will use the following grade scale:

Exams

Missed exams require a note from a physician.  You may refer to a single 3"x5" notecard during exams. Otherwise, exams are closed-book and you will not be permitted access to any outside materials/persons.  This prohibition extends to cell phones, mp3 players and any device capable of storing or transmitting data, including programmable calculators.  Many students will want to bring calculators, so secure a non-programmable calculator early.  In some instances you will be taking exams in rooms other than PLS1140; be sure to check the course calendar before each exam to learn where you will be taking your exam.

Homework Assignments

Assignments are due AT THE START OF CLASS on the due date. Late assignments will not be accepted---no exceptions.  So if, for example, you have an assignment due on February 14, and illness, flood, incarceration or another impediment keeps you from submitting your homework by 2:00pm that day, then you will get a zero for that assignment.  Because there are valid reasons why assignments cannot be turned in on the due date, the assignment with the lowest score will not be counted in the grade.  Thus a single "zero" for a missed assignment will not count against you; repeated missed assignments will.  Note, you may submit your homework electronically by emailing your assignment as an attachment to the TA: kminegishi@arec.umd.edu; if you are submitting your assignment electronically, the 2:00pm deadline still applies.   Assignments will be graded by the TA and returned to students at the next discussion section.  Students are advised to form study groups, however the assignment each student turns in must be her/his own work.

Attendance

You are encouraged to come to class.  The material that you will need to learn will be presented during the classes.  It is difficult to learn economics only by reading.  Please be prompt for class.  Arriving late is an imposition on others in the class as well as the instructor.

Communication On occasion we will need to communicate with the class by email. Make sure the email address you have registered with the University is up to date.

Policy on Academic Integrity

It expected that every student has read and understands the University policy on academic integrity as stated in the Schedule of Classes. (See also http://www.jpo.umd.edu/SHC/code.html .)  Any suspected cases of academic dishonesty (cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, or plagiarism) will be reported to the Honor Council.

Students with disabilities

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations with me, please contact me as soon as possible.

APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

Dates subject to some change as class progresses

F&F denotes the text, Field and Field (2009, 5th edition)

JANUARY 2009

FEBRUARY 2009

MARCH 2009

APRIL 2008

MAY 2008

This page last updated 05/05/09