University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. Meta_economics theory explicitly includes the moral dimension in formal models.  AECN/NRES 883 Ecological Economics

                                                                     Class Schedule, Fall Semester, 2008
                                                    (Also see the full Syllabus)

                                        "We are always only one failed generational transfer away from darkest ignorance" (Daly and Farley, 2004, p. 41)

Last update:  Monday August 11, 2008. Note:  We are in the process of updating this Schedule for Fall , 2008. Plan on checking this schedule at least weekly during the time of the course, due to minor course adjustments being made throughout the semester. This will facilitate keeping abreast of which Lesson is being covered at a particular time; class materials needed at any point in time are available under the Lesson on Blackboard.

(see UNL Academic Calendar for other important dates)

Sept. 29-Oct. 3 Preliminaries, Including Self-Introductions on the Discussion Board!

The UNL on-campus class of 2007! It would be good if each of you, both on-campus and distance students, could attach a picture of yourself to the Discussion Board, under Lesson 1 in the Introductions forum.    

Lesson 1: How to use Blackboard. Organization of Materials on Blackboard. Solving problems with Blackboard.
Lesson 2: Why Study Economics? (Chp. 1 in D&F)
 

NOTE: We will be revising the dates of the following topics as we approach the September 29, 2008, start of class...so, stay tuned!   This is to say, the main topic areas will remain largely the same; only the timing will change, albeit we update the materials each year, a process that is always ongoing, bringing in latest scientific and contemporary conversations on the major eco-issues, pertaining to sustainability.  For some summer reading, for those intrigued with the major move in recent years to the eco-path by business and industry, you will enjoy the recent book by Daniel Esty and Andrew Winston(2006) titled "Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage (New Haven: Yale University Press)." For a short, 2-page overview of it see Lynne(2008)... For a scientific take on the eco-path, see the Ecological Economics journal (generally, you can gain electronic access to it through most University Libraries).

 
Oct. 6-10  Overall Character, Ends, Means, Policy of Ecological Economics
Lesson 3: The Fundamental Vision (Chp. 2 in D&F)
(Additional readings on the fundamental vision)  (See Role of the Additional Readings)
Lesson 4: Ends, Means, and Policy (Chp. 3 in D&F)

Oct. 13-17  Abiotic and Biotic Resources in a Full World
Lesson 5: The Nature of Resources and the Resources of Nature (Chp4. in D&F)
Lesson 6:  Abiotic Resources (Chp. 5 in D&F)

Oct. 20-24
Lesson 7:  Biotic Resources (Chp. 6 in D&F)
Lesson 8:  From Empty World to Full World (and the move to  EcoCommunity) (Chp. 7 in D&F)
(Additional full world readings)

**Exam over Lessons 2-8. This "take-home" exam was posted at 12-noon (CDT) on Friday, October 26; the completed exam is to be returned by 12-noon (CDT) on Friday, November 2.**

Oct. 27-Oct. 31 Microeconomics and Meta(to include Thermo)economics: 
Lesson 9: The Basic Market Equation (Chp. 8 in D&F)
Lesson 10: Supply and Demand (and Behavioral Economics) (Chp. 9 in D&F)
(Additional microeconomic and metaeconomic readings)


Nov. 3-7 Market Failures and Missing Markets
Finish Lesson 10
Lesson 11: Market Failures Defined (Chp 10 in D&F)
(Additional  property problem readings)
Nov. 10-14  Valuation
Finish discussion of Coase Theorm as a basis for Policy
Lesson 12: Valuation Techniques (Chp. 3 in Chapman)
(Additional  valuation readings)
Nov. 17-21   Measuring Overall Progress
Lesson 13:  Macroeconomic Values (Chp. 13 in D&F)
Genuine Progress Indicator (See Costanza et al paper; and Redefining Progress website) Continue discussion of materials in Lessons 9-13

**Exam over Lessons 9-13. This take-home exam will be due back by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27. We hope to post it by Friday, November 16 (and no later than Saturday!). It will have the same general format as did Exam 1, with Part I true-false, multiple answer, multiple choice with a short essay option and Part II being an essay, applying and evaluating some construct (e.g. the Coase Theorem).

Nov. 24- Nov. 28 Institutional Design and Managing Resources
Lesson 14: Institutional Design (Chp. 20 and 21 in D&F)
The material in Lesson 14 considers the alternative "tools" and frameworks for how to approach solving problems toward achieving a more sustainable path for each of the resources, and for the overall earth

Dec. 1-5.  Managing Abiotic Resources
Lesson 15: Minerals, especially Energy and Energy Alternatives (Chp. 1 in Chapman; Chp. 11 in D&F)
(Additional readings addressing abiotic scarcity)
Lesson 16:  Sulfur (air quality) and Carbon/Climate Change (Chp. 11, 18 in Chapman; Chp. 11 in D&F)
(Additional readings on sulfur and carbon markets)
Lesson 17: Water Management (Chp. 11 in D&F)
(Additional readings on water marketing)
(Additional readings on water and soil conservation/erosion reduction)

Dec. 5.  By no later than December 5,  the Student Eco-Present PowerPoints are posted as an "Attachment" (including extensive Notes on each slide and/or Audio augmented slides)  to the Eco-Successes part of the Discussion Board, with a  Thread started with the Lesson 20 Forum by the Student about the Eco-Success case documented in their Attached PowerPoint. Alternatively, if you have the recording equipment and software, you can make a Podcast (an mp3 file), which can be made a click-point.  Each student will comment on, engage in discussion about the Eco-Success presentation of at least 1-other student as well as respond to comments on their eco-success presentations.  (Note: If you choose to add extensive Audio and/or Photos, Graphics, which can make for a very large PowerPoint file, you can send it to us, for transformation into a "streaming" PowerPoint: We use a software package called "Impatica."   You may also wish to use this option of sending it to us for posting if you do not wish to give access to your slides for download, in that ...as you have learned from viewing the PowerPoints in this class...  "streamed" slides cannot be so downloaded).

Dec. 8-12 Managing Biotic Resources and Eco-Successes in Contemporary Eco-Business, Eco-Industry, Eco-Community and Eco-Government
(Additional readings addressing biotic scarcity)
Lessons 18-19: Buffalo and Prairie Dogs, Fisheries and Forests (Chp. 12 in D&F)
(Additional readings on the fishery)
Lesson 20: Eco-successes (case studies) in business, industry (industrial ecology), community and government
(Readings on eco-business and eco-community: agriculture, business, industrial ecology, communities and tourism)

Exam will be made available on December 5 to be returned by December 12.
**Exam over Lessons 14-20**