Introduction to Ecological Economics
SYLLABUS
Term: Spring 2011 online
Office hours: Tue 9:30-11:30
Instructor: Gary Flomenhoft
Gund Institute for Ecological Economics
email: Gary.Flo@uvm.edu
cv: http://www.uvm.edu/giee/cvs/Garyvita.htm
Office phone: 802-656-2996
Cell phone: 508-237-4012
Prerequisites: None required. Some basic economics is
useful.
Course Description:
Conventional (neo-classical) economics assumes that the economy can continue
to grow forever, that welfare is determined only by market goods, and
that people always act selfishly. Ecological economics in contrast, starts
from the understanding that the economy is a sub-system of the global
environment, and subject to its bio-physical limits. In addition, human
welfare is determined by many other factors besides market goods: friendship,
love, status, rights, freedom, etc. Also human behavior is far more complex
than simple self-interest. Ecological economics recognizes that the interactions
between the human system and the global ecosystem cannot be understood
from within the framework of any single discipline. Therefore ecological
economics is a “transdiscipline” encompassing ecological, social, and
economic perspectives.
Course Objectives:
• Train students in the theory of ecological economics as it applies to
society and the environment;
• Clarify the distinction between ecological economics and conventional
economics;
• Apply the theory to real-life as you might apply it in your future work;
• Give you the opportunity to apply the theory to a real life problem
of your choice during the course, to help you decide whether or not the
theory is sound;
• Foster group work and research skills;
• Stimulate students to think outside the box, and question the conventional
wisdom.
Course Project and Assignments:
In groups or individually, you will be asked to carry out a course project
that will explain how in future careers as environmental attorneys you
would use the concepts learned in the course to solve a real problem affecting
your issues. The projects must address the three main themes in ecological
economics:
• Scale-- the physical size of the economic system relative to the ecosystem
that sustains it;
• Distribution— how are resources divided among individuals;
• Allocation—how are resources apportioned among different uses.
These concepts will be explained in detail during the course.
Grading:
Course project/Final paper 40%
3 Short Papers (scale, distribution, allocation): 20% each = 60%
Bonus for Class participation