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Description
This course is an introduction to the economic analysis of environmental economics. In this course we explore the role of humans in the efficient use of the environment. We begin by exploring why, in many cases, an unregulated use of environmental resources results in an inefficient usage of the resources. This discussion is followed by exploring how environmental laws can be developed which allows for a sensible approach to resource usage. The exposition in the course will be primarily verbal and graphical. We will sometimes use the concept of mathematical functions to conveniently express certain relations. Thus, you are expected to have an adequate command of the use of algebra.
Course Objectives
The objectives of this course are stated below. This course will provide students with basic concepts. But economic theory is more than a set of concepts that the student must memorize. This course will equip you to analyze economic problems in a variety of contexts. This ability to apply economic reasoning is the most important objective of this course. When you go to work after graduation you can apply this knowledge gained through achieving these objectives to help analyze how certain actions in the economy, both private and governmental, will affect you, the firm you work for, and the environment. By the semesters end, a student successfully completing this course will:
- Understand the concept of opportunity cost and use it to analyze economic decision-making concerning environmental issues.
- Use supply and demand analysis to demonstrate the microeconomic impacts of changes in market conditions and how this impacts the environment.
- Explain how prices and output levels are determined in different market structures and how this impacts the environment.
- Have a basic understanding of consumer behavior as modeled by economists and how this impacts the environment.
- Have a basic understanding of business firms’ behavior under various market structures and how this behavior affects the environment.
- Demonstrate how to tell when a firm or market is efficient and how this concepts can be used to help formulate government policy.
- Demonstrate how policy makers can use microeconomic tools to achieve their goals of an efficient use of resources in an economy.
Course Links
- Course Syllabus
- Course Grades
- Study Guide
- Assignment Calendar
- Paper Assignment Guidelines - Writing requirements for the paper topics.
- Today’s MSNBC Environmental News Stories
- Illinois Rivers Transmissions Project by Ameren
- Take-Home Exam
Endangered Species List
Clean Air Links
Air Quality Standards -- http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqibroach/
Green Vehicle Links
http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles
Clean Air Act Amendments - http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/title2.html
Renewable Energies
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