The course “Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics’ explains the economic 'way of thinking' in the context of environmental matters. The potential for markets to solve environmental problems is explored and this is accompanied by an analysis of government, or ‘command and control’ mechanisms for dealing with environmental issues. Throughout the course economic principles and techniques are applied and example/cases are evaluated.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to (1) explain how the discipline of economics, and economic tools such as cost-benefit analysis, can be used to analyse environmental and natural resource use issues, (2) describe the potential for market and government ('command and control) mechanisms to address environmental issues, and (3) appreciate the role of economics in the management of natural resources, including water, forests and energy.

Research-Led Teaching

Students will have the opportunity throughout the course to engage with the course convenor's research across water economics and policy, cost-benefit analysis, and nature-based solutions.

Field Trips

An optional field trip to the Dickson wetland in the Inner North of Canberra close to the ANU campus. Details to be confirmed during class, including options for online students to engage.

Additional Course Costs

None

Examination Material or equipment

None

Required Resources

No mandatory textbook.

Required and further readings will be provided for each week, including journal articles, reports, videos, and podcasts.

Recommended Resources

Students seeking to delve further into the theory and application of economics to environmental and natural resource management will be able to access relevant chapters of the following textbooks online through the course Wattle page or the ANU Library:

Environmental and Resource Economics: A Contemporary Approach by Harris and Roach (2018)

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics by Tietenberg and Lewis (2018)

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

More details are available on the Wattle site.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to economic approaches to environmental & resources management Overview of key economic concepts
2	Environmental externalities Government & market failure
3	Economic policy instruments
4	Cost-benefit analysis & discounting
5	Environmental valuation
6	Tragedy of the commons & public goods	Mid-Semester Exam
7	Water economics & policy
8	Fisheries economics & policy Environmental accounting
9	Economics of pollution control
10	Economics of nature-based solutions & biodiversity
11	Climate change & energy
12	Topic determined by class vote in first half of the course
13

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Oral presentation	10 %	10/08/2022	17/08/2022	1,2,3
Policy brief	20 %	19/09/2022	03/10/2022	1,2
Mid-semester examination (open-book)	30 %	02/09/2022	16/09/2022	1,2,3,4
Policy report	40 %	28/10/2022	01/12/2022	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to exchange knowledge with their peers and the course convenor through interactive sessions and online discussion forums.

Examination(s)

A mid-semester examination (open-book, take home exam) on content lectured in Weeks 1-5. Students will have 24 hours to complete the exam and submit through Turnitin. Word limits will be assigned to each exam question.

Assessment Task 1

Oral presentation

A recorded 5 minute presentation regarding an environmental issue in the location where each student lives or their home country/town. The presentation will (a) use economic concepts to explain the causes of the issue, and (b) propose an economic policy instrument that could be applied to the problem. Photos or video of the context is encouraged where possible. Students will be provided with support on how to record a presentation using zoom and powerpoint. A component of this mark will include engagement with other class members' oral presentations and related discussions in class.

Assessment Task 2

Policy brief

A 1,000-word policy brief using a provided template on a contemporary environmental or natural resource policy issue. The objective of the assessment will be to use economic concepts and ways of thinking to recommend a course of policy action. Students may choose to answer a pre-defined topic or define their own topic (in consultation with the course convener). A small to moderate amount of research will be required for this assessment and there will be restrictions on the number of references.       

Assessment Task 3

Mid-semester examination (open-book)

A mid-semester examination (open-book, take home exam) on content lectured in Weeks 1-5. Students will have 24 hours to complete the exam and submit through Turnitin. Word limits will be assigned to each exam question.

Assessment Task 4

Policy report

A 2,500-word policy brief using a provided template on a contemporary environmental or natural resource policy issue. The objectives of the assessment will be to: (a) conduct research on an environmental or natural resource policy issue, (b) use economic analytical approaches to explain the issue, (c) assess alternative policy approaches using tools and methods discussed in the course, and (d) make a recommendation to policy-makers. Students may choose to answer a pre-defined topic or define their own topic (in consultation with the course convener).  A significant amount of research will be required for this major assessment.  

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students