This course examines the 'economic way of thinking' for environmental and resource management. The potential for markets, taxes, and subsidies to address environmental problems is explored across pollution control, water, energy, climate change, among other areas. Requirements and challenges associated with economic policy instruments are compared to those associated with traditional regulatory-based, or ‘command and control’, mechanisms for dealing with environmental issues. Key economic principles and techniques are applied to contemporary case studies throughout the course, including cost-benefit analysis of dam projects and alternative approaches to managing urban water scarcity.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Investigate how economic concepts can be applied to environmental and natural resources management.
- Critically assess the opportunities and challenges of using market-based and traditional regulatory ('command and control) mechanisms to address environmental issues.
- Analyse the role of economics in the management of natural resources, including water, fisheries, and energy.
- Critically review cost-benefit analyses in the context of environmental and natural resource policy.
- Explain the theoretical basis of environmental valuation and how it can be applied to multiple policy settings.
Indicative Assessment
- Oral presentation (10% each) (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Policy brief (20%) (1000 wds) (20) [LO 1,2]
- Mid semester (take-home) test (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Policy report (2500 wds) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
In order to support understanding and revision of key economic principles, students will have access to the following textbook online through the ANU library:
Harris, Jonathan, M. and Roach, Brian. 2018. Environmental and Resource Economics: A Contemporary Approach. 4th Edition. Routledge.
Preliminary Reading
Assumed Knowledge
No assumed knowledge of economics is required. Pre-prepared Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (with accompanying instructions) will be used by students in at least one tutorial - no prior knowledge of this application will be required.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4560 | Standard Rate |
| 2023 | $3600 |
Grandfathered Rate*
*continuing students in nominated programs only. See fee website |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.