Economics 341/Environmental Science 341:

Ecological Economics and Sustainability

 

Block 2 – Oct. 1 – Oct. 24, 2001

 

 

Course Schedule

(as of Sept. 12, 01)

 

For Class On:

Read, Attend or Be Prepared to Discuss/Do:

(Note: For Readings Marked *** See Class Web Syllabus)

Monday Oct. 1

--Class Introduction

--No Reading

--10:30 A.M. Palmer 20 Computer Lab: E-Mail and Web Directions

--1:00 – 3:00 P.M. individuals work on Web Sites in Econ Dept. Computer Lab, Palmer 106

 

--Optional E-Journal due Wed. Oct. 3

Tuesday Oct. 2

--Ecological Econ Framework:

     --Introduction

--Costanza, Chap. 1: Humanity’s Current Dilemma

--HCN, STOP article on White River NF ***

--Boynton, Robert S., Powder Burn, Outside Magazine Jan. 1999 ***

 

Optional Reading:

--"Social Landscape Tinder for '98 Vail Arsons", Denver Post, 2001. A good review of the book Powder Burn. ***

--Forest Service, WRNF Plan Revision ***

--Draft EIS for WRNF Plan Revision ***

--US Congressman McGinnis’ Blended Alternative Plan for WRNF Plan Revision ***

 

--1:00 – 3:00 P.M. individuals work on Web Sites in Econ Dept. Computer Lab, Palmer 106

Wednesday Oct. 3

--Ecological Econ Framework:

     --Overview of Resources, Prod & Externalities

--Costanza, Chap. 2: The Historical Development of Econ and Ecology:

 Section 2.1 - The Early Codevelopment of Economics and Natural Science

Section 2.2 - Economics and Ecology Specialize and Separate

Section 2.3 - The Reintegration of Ecology and Economics

--Hardin, “Tragedy of the Commons” ***

 

Optional Reading:

--National Ski Areas Assoc. Sustainable Slopes Initiative ***

--Colorado Wild Ski Area Citizens Coalition and Ski Area Report Card ***

 

--1:00 – 3:00 P.M. individuals work on Web Sites in Econ Dept. Computer Lab, Palmer 106

 

--Optional E-Journal due Fri Oct. 5

Thursday Oct. 4

--Ecological Econ Framework:

    --Quick View of Macro

    --Back to Micro – Basics of Production

--Costanza, Chap. 3: Problems and Principles of Ecological Economics

Section 3.1 Sustainable Scale, Fair Distribution and Efficient Allocation

Section 3.2 - Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Ecological Services

 

Optional Reading:

--Daly, Steady-State Economics Chap. 5, Cataclysm of Growth Fallacies ***

Friday Oct. 5

--Teams Give Brief Reports on Outside Readings

--Ecological Econ Framework:

    --Revisiting Markets and Production

--Costanza, Chap. 3: Problems and Principles of Ecological Economics

Section 3.3 - Sustainability vs. Complementarity of Natural, Human and manufactured Capital

Section 3.4 – Population and Carrying Capacity

 

--Optional E-Journal due Mon. Oct. 8

Monday Oct. 8

--Ecological Econ Framework:

    --Market Failure – Traditional Econ Approach

--Costanza, Chap. 3: Problems and Principles of Ecological Economics

Section 3.5 – Measuring Welfare and Well-Being

Section 3.6 – Valuation, Choice, and Uncertainty

(Skip Section 3.7!)

 

Optional Reading:

--Korten, “Sustainable Development – Conventional vs Emergent Alternative Wisdom” ***

 

--Optional E-Journal due Wed. Oct. 10

Tuesday Oct. 9

--Ecological Econ Framework:

     --Ecological Econ Framework For Thinking About Econ

--Costanza, Chap. 4: Policies, Institutions, and Instruments

Section 4.1 – The Need to Develop a Shared Vision of a Sustainable Society

Section 4.2 – History of Environmental Institutions and Instruments

 

Optional Reading:

--Soros, “The Capitalist Threat” ***

--Cox, “The Market as God” ***

 

-- Noon: campus visit by Martha Ketelle, White River NF Supervisor & Vinnie Picard, Public Affairs Officer, in Slocum Commons (for lunch).  Briefing on the decision-making process for revision of the WRNF Plan and question-answer opportunity.

Wednesday Oct. 10

--Costanza, Chap. 4: Policies, Institutions, and Instruments

Section 4.3 – Successes, Failures and Remedies

Section 4.4 – Policy Instruments

 

Optional Reading:

--National Environmental Policy Act ***

 

--Optional E-Journal due Fri Oct. 12

Thursday Oct. 11

--Costanza, Chap. 4: Policies, Institutions, and Instruments

Section 4.4 – Policy Instruments (continued)

--Costanza, “Defining & Predicting Sustainability”

 

--In Class Review

Friday Oct. 12

--Exam

Sunday Oct. 14

--2:00 PM  Depart West End of Palmer for Field Trip

Monday Oct. 15

--Field Trip

Tuesday Oct. 16

--Field Trip

Wednesday Oct. 17

--Field Trip

Thursday Oct. 18

--Field Trip

Friday Oct. 19

--Field Trip; back in C.S. by Approx. 5:30  PM

Monday Oct. 22

-- Independent Work on Course Papers, Notebook

Tuesday Oct. 23

--Independent Work on Course Papers, Notebook

Wednesday Oct. 24

--Papers and Notebook Due by Noon