GY329 Half Unit
Applied Economics of Environment and Development
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Charles Palmer
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Geography with Economics, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis
Requisites
Pre-requisites:
Students must have completed EC2A1 or EC2A3 or EC2A5 or GY222 before taking this course.
Course content
This half-unit course explores the complex relationships between economic development, poverty and the environment. Over five, inter-related themes, GY329 covers a range of critical natural resource and environmental issues in low-and middle-income countries, that is, issues at the interface of environment and development. Using concepts and analytical tools grounded in applied economics, primarily environmental and development economics, the course begins with an examination of the relationship between poverty and environmental change related to resource use, and the role of population growth in this relationship (theme I). It then moves to a discussion of the design and implementation of policies to effect change in conservation and/or development outcomes, in weak institutional settings (theme II). A key institution is that of property rights, with common property playing an important role in resource management and conservation (theme III). Some key conservation and poverty alleviation efforts attempt to address market failures associated with the demand for, and supply of, food and energy (theme IV). While food and energy are typically supplied in rural settings, changes in the extent and compositiion of demand are associated with rapid urbanization, trade, and sectoral shifts in the economy (theme V).
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to produce a ‘mock exam’ essay during the Winter Term.
Indicative reading
There are no textbooks for this course. The reading list has been curated for the course, primarily readings from economics journals (general and field).
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes, reading time: 30 minutes in the Spring exam period
Note this will be an invigilated e-exam.
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 6
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 26
Average class size 2024/25: 9
Capped 2024/25: Yes(50)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Specialist skills