HomeMy WebLinkAboutECO-1102.2.2024 rev
Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Arts, & Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences
Departmental Syllabus
ECO-110 Environmental Economics
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: Spring 2023
Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester_X__ Other________________
Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________
(Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________
by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________
Semester and Year: Fall 2023
Course and Section Number: ECO-1XX-001
Meeting Times and Locations: TBD
Instructor:
Office Location: A-306B
Phone: 201-493-3608
Departmental/Division Secretary:
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
This course is an introduction to contemporary problems of environmental quality. Topics include
economic analysis of the institutions and practices leading to pollution of air, water, and land resources;
analysis of incentives that lead to environmental degradation; the valuation of environmental quality; and
the design and evaluation of regulations that seek to improve environmental quality including issues
associated with global climate change.
Credits: 3 (lecture)
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
General Education Course: Yes
Diversity Course: No
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Student Learning Objectives & Means of Assessment
Objectives: Upon successful completion, the student
will be able to:
Means of Assessment: This outcome will be
measured by one or more of the following:
1) Apply an environmental economics perspective to
environmental problems
Objective tests, essay questions, oral
presentations, class discussions, and writing
assignments
2) Develop a simple analytical model of the economy
in relation to the natural environment
Objective tests, essay questions, oral
presentations, class discussions, and writing
assignments
3) Demonstrate the implications of external costs and
external benefits as well as the unique attributes
of environmental problems
Objective tests, essay questions, oral
presentations, class discussions, and writing
assignments
4) Create and explain graphs of the standard
pollution control model using marginal damages
and marginal abatement costs
Objective tests, essay questions, oral
presentations, class discussions, and writing
assignments
5) Evaluate different types of environmental policies
including decentralized, centralized, incentive-
based and market-based policies
Objective tests, essay questions, oral
presentations, class discussions, and writing
assignments
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
Textbook:
Field, Barry C., and Field, Martha K. Environmental Economics: An Introduction (Eight Edition). McGraw
Hill, 2021.
ISBN: 9781260993172
Available in print and digital formats
Supplemental materials including but not limited to readings, films, print or online sources to be
determined at the discretion of the instructor.
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Course Content
The recommended sequence of theme and topics outlined below represents a general guideline.
Instructors should feel free to modify this to suit their pedagogical approach and academic expertise.
1) Introduction
a) What is Environmental Economics?
b) The Economy and the Environment
2) Analytical Tools
a) Benefits and Costs, Supply and Demand
b) Markets, Externalities, and Public Goods
c) The Economics of Environmental Quality
3) Environmental Analysis
a) Frameworks of Analysis
b) Benefit-Cost Analysis: Benefits
c) Benefit-Cost Analysis: Costs
4) Environmental Policy Analysis
a) Criteria for Evaluating Environmental Policies
b) Decentralized Policies: Liability Laws, Property Rights, Voluntary Action
c) Command-and-Control Strategies: The Case of Standards
d) Incentive-Based Strategies: Environmental Charges and Subsidies
e) Incentive-Based Strategies: Market Trading Systems
5) Environmental Policy in the United States
a) Federal Water Pollution Control Policy
b) Federal Air Pollution Control Policy
c) Federal Policy on Toxic and Hazardous Substances
d) State and Local Environmental Issues
6) Global Environmental Issues
a) Global Climate Change
b) International Environmental Agreements
c) Globalization
d) Economic Development and the Environment
Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s)
Writing Activity:
Students in this course will be expected to engage in multiple written assignment. These may be essay
questions on one or more tests, an essay test, or several short reflection reports based on outside
readings or activities.
Critical Thinking:
Students would be encouraged, through classroom activities, to think about, analyze, and apply basic
tools of environmental economics to current event issues. Memorization of key concepts and theories
should be thought of as the first, not the final, stage of learning significant course materials.
Student Evaluation:
Student grades will be based on a variety of different assessment measur es such as writing assignments,
objective tests and quizzes, and larger projects or research papers. The incorporation of at least one oral
presentation is encouraged.
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Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each
section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance
will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
Attendance policies are to be determined by the instructor.
Student and Faculty Support Services
Students: Portal Access & Moodle https://bergen.edu/portalhelp/access-moodle/
or email citl@bergen.edu or helpdesk@bergen.edu
IT Help Desk 201-879-7109
Cerullo Learning Assistance Center
Writing Center
Tutoring Center
Room L-125
201-447-7489
https://bergen.edu/tutoring/tutoring-center/
https://bergen.edu/tutoring/writing-center/
The Sidney Silverman Library Room L-226
201-447-7436 (Reference Desk)
201-879-7970 (Service Desk)
https://bergen.edu/library/
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements
Accommodations for Disabilities:
Bergen Community College aims to create inclusive learning environments where all students have
maximum opportunities for success. Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the
impact of a disability should contact the Office of Specialized Services at 201 -612-5269 or via email at
ossinfo@bergen.edu for assistance.
Statement on Mental Health and Wellbeing:
Mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a
student's ability to participate in daily activities. Bergen Community College has licensed Personal
Counselors available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing.
You can learn more about the confidential mental health services available on campus via the Health and
Wellness Center at www.bergen.edu/personalcounseling
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Sample Course Outline and Calendar (subject to change at instructor’s discretion)
Week Topics & Readings Assignments
1
Chapter 1: What is Environmental Economics?
Chapter 2: The Economy and the Environment
2
Chapter 3: Benefits and Costs, Supply & Demand
Chapter 4: Markets, Externalities, and Public Goods
Lecture Quiz
3
Chapter 5: The Economics of Environmental Quality
FIRST SHORT
EXAMINATION
4
Chapter 6: Frameworks of Analysis
Chapter 7: Benefit-Cost Analysis: Benefits
Lecture Quiz
5
Chapter 8: Benefit-Cost Analysis: Costs
6
Chapter 9: Criteria for Evaluating Environmental Policies
SECOND SHORT
EXAMINATION
7
Chapter 10: Decentralized Policies: Liability Laws, Property Rights,
Voluntary Action
Chapter 11: Command-and-Control Strategies: The Case of
Standards
Lecture Quiz
8
Chapter 12: Incentive-Based Strategies: Environmental Charges and
Subsidies
Chapter 13: Incentive-Based Strategies: Market Trading Systems
THIRD SHORT
EXAMINATION
9
Chapter 14: Federal Water Pollution Control Policy
10
Chapter 15: Federal Air Pollution Control Policy
Lecture Quiz
11
Chapter 16: Federal Policy on Toxic and Hazardous Substances
12
Chapter 17: State and Local Environmental Issues
FOURTH SHORT
EXAMINATION
13
Chapter 18: Global Climate Change
Chapter 19: International Environmental Agreements
14
Chapter 20: Globalization
Lecture Quiz
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15
Chapter 21: Economic Development and the Environment
FINAL
EXAMINATION