| Academic year: | 2010-2011 |
| Course code module | 1MSEWCL007 |
| Semester: | 1st semester |
| Credits: | 12 |
| Study load (hours) | 336 |
| Theory (hours): | 60,00 |
| Practice/Exercises(hours): | 20,00 |
| Other (hours): | |
| Part-time program: | 1 |
| Instructor(s) | Ilse Loots
Aviel Verbruggen
|
| Language of instruction: | Dutch |
| Semester exam information: | exam in the 1st semester |
| Contract restriction information: | |
1. Prerequisites
*Algemene competenties
For the economics part an introductory course on economics is assumed, but when not had before, students can study a few additional (short) chapters to acquire the basics of microeconomics and public economics concepts.
*Sequentiality
None
2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes)
1) Knowledge and insight in environmental economics and environmental sociology
2) A broad vision on the relation between the environment and economics (as the human economic activities and as a scientific discipline). A good understanding of the main concepts and models used by the most influential economic schools for studying the above relation; the dominant paradigm of neo-classical economics receives most attention. A thorough analysis of and mastership over economic instruments to manage the public goods nature and environment.
3) To become familiar with policy scientific insights on the content (discourse), the organisation and dynamics of spatial planning and area-specific policy, sustaibalble development and environmental policy on different scales and policy levels.
3) To apply the concepts and analytical and evaluation frameworks into an applied context of real life issues, including to develop an attitude to collaborate with experts with another (also a technical) background (interdisciplinarity), to deal with complexity, uncertainty and controversy and to value non-scientific input in knowlegde production, decision making and policy processes (transdisciplinarity).
3. Course content
Topics in the sociological state-of-the art
1. spatial planning, town and country planning and comprehensive/integrated area specific policy processes; local and international trends
2. impacts of other policy domains (rural, urban, mobility and infrastructure policy, ...)
3. types of spatial issues and conflicts
4. environmental policy issues, common pool resource management and sustainability discours, ecological modernisation, local and international trends
5. risk society; risk perception; risk communication; environmental justice and governance
6. environmental issues as social dilemma's; external and internal policy instruments
7. dealing with complexity, uncertainty and controversity, inter- and transdisciplinarity in knowledge production and policy processes
8. dynamics and institutionalisation of these policy domains
9. policy evaluation perspectives and methods
Economics:
Several perspectives on the relation economics-environment (ecosystem functions, DPSI@R, spatial, economic growth, sustainable development). The economics analytical frameworks for finding the right level of encroachment on the environment (cost-benefit trade-offs with many caveats, e.g. joining private interests of emissions and abatement with public interests of a safe environment; valuing nature and the environment, etc.). Ways to install emission/immission levels lower than the laisser-faire ones: Coase and public policies. Extended discussion, analysis and demonstration of policy instruments such as standards and levies, with an additional emphasis on tradable permits. Most examples are coming from the climate change debate.
4. Teaching method
Direct contact: Lectures
Personal work: ExercisesAssignments - individual
5. Assessment method
Exam: Written, with oral presentation
Written assignment: With oral presentation
6. Compulsory reading – study material
Economics: Handbook (for english students e.g. Field B. "An Introduction to Environmental Economics")
7. Recommended reading - study material
None.
8. Tutoring
Please contact prof. Loots or prof. Verbruggen:
www.ua.ac.be/ilse.loots / www.ua.ac.be/aviel.verbruggen .