INTERMEDIATE COLLEGE WRITING COURSE REVIEW FORM
(FORMERLY APPROVED WRITING) 4-15
Please attach/ submit additional documents as needed to fully complete each section of the form.
I. COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: 433
Department: Economics
Course Title:
Economics of the Environment
New
One-time Only
Change
Type of Request:
✔ Renew
Rationale: The course has successfully impacted student learning.
Remove
II. ENDORSEMENT / APPROVALS
* Instructor: Katrina Mullan
Signature _______________________ Date____________
Phone / Email: 4655/katrina.mullan@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair: Jeff Bookwalter
Signature _______________________ Date____________
Dean: Christopher Comer
Signature _______________________ Date____________
*Form must be completed by the instructor who will be teaching the course. If the instructor of the course changes before the next
review, the new instructor must be provided with a copy of the form prior to teaching the course.
III. OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE PURPOSE / DESCRIPTION
Provide an introduction to the subject matter and course content:
Environmental economics seeks to analyze the interaction between human activity and the environment using the
tools of economics. In this course, we will use economic theory to understand:
1) why environmental problems occur;
2) the extent to which they should be prevented;
3) how different policy mechanisms can be used to prevent them.
We will also look at how environmental economists quantify the values of environmental goods and services that are
not bought or sold in markets. The environmental issues we will study will include air and water pollution, climate
change, ecosystem conservation, deforestation, and how environmental quality relates to economic development.
IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Provide examples of how the course will support students in achieving each learning outcome
•
Use writing to learn and synthesize new concepts.
✔ Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
Research paper will require students to apply theoretical models covered in class and synthesize with findings from
empirical studies. This will take place through incremental assignments.
No
If no, course may not be eligible
•
Formulate and express written opinions and ideas that are developed, logical, and organized.
✔ Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
Students write a policy memo and research paper. Requirements include clear structure and well-organized
paragraphs. Practice by outlining structure of existing journal article section and describing development of
argument.
No
•
If no, course may not be eligible
Compose written documents that are appropriate for a given audience, purpose and context
✔ Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
Policy memo is targeted at non-economist; valuation paper summary is targeted at classmates; and research paper is
intended for academic economics audience. Students given guidance on differences and assessed on appropriate
writing.
No
•
If no, course may not be eligible
Revise written work based on constructive comments from the instructor
✔ Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
Initial stages of research paper assignments receive written comments to aid revision for the final, full paper. All
writing assignments have the option of revision within two weeks for a weighted average of the initial and final
grade.
No
•
If no, course may not be eligible
Find, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically
( description of information literacy outcomes appropriate for each class level)
Subject librarians are available to assist you embed information literacy into your course
✔ Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
One of the research paper assignments is an annotated bibliography of sources collected for different purposes.
This follows workshop with subject librarian.
No
•
If no, course may not be eligible
Begin to use discipline-specific writing conventions
✔
Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
As the research paper is intended for an academic economics audience, students are expected to use
discipline-specific conventions. These are reviewed by studying journal paper style choices.
No
•
If no, course may not be eligible
Demonstrate appropriate English language usage
✔ Yes If yes, how will student learning be supported?
Guidelines for appropriate use will be discussed in class and constructive comments given on writing assignments.
Students are also encouraged to visit UM Writing Center for further assistance on language usage and other learning
outcomes.
No
If no, course may not be eligible
V. WRITING COURSE REQUIREMENTS
•
Enrollment is capped at 25 students. ✔ Yes
No
If no, list maximum course enrollment.
Explain how outcomes will be adequately met for this number of students.
Justify the request for variance.
•
Which written assignments will include revision in response to instructor’s feedback?
The staged research paper assignments will receive feedback that will be used for the final paper. All assignments
apart from final research paper include optional revisions for a change in the grade for that assignment.
VI. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Please describe course assignments. Students should be required to individually compose at least 16 pages of writing for
assessment. At least 50% of the course grade should be based on students’ performance on writing assignments. Clear expression,
quality, and accuracy of content are an integral part of the grade on any writing assignment.
•
Formal Graded Assignments
(1) Research paper - split into three intermediate assignments and final paper; (2) policy memo; (3) valuation paper
summary and policy exercise; (4) prepared handouts for class
•
none
Informal Ungraded Assignments
•
Attach a sample writing assignment. Include instructions / handouts provided to students.
VII. ASSESSMENT
✔ I will participate in the University-wide Program-level Writing Assessment by requiring students in this course to upload a
sample paper to the designated Moodle location. Please clearly communicate the requirement to your students and include
language on your syllabus (sample below).
•
This course requires an electronic submission of an assignment stripped of your personal information to be used for
educational research and assessment of the writing program. Your paper will be stored in a database. A random selection
of student papers will be assessed by a group of faculty using a rubric developed from the following writing learning
outcomes.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Compose written documents that are appropriate for a given audience or purpose
Formulate and express opinions and ideas in writing
Use writing to learn and synthesize new concepts
Revise written work based on constructive feedback
Find, evaluate, and use information effectively
Begin to use discipline-specific writing conventions (largely style conventions like APA or MLA)
Demonstrate appropriate English language usage
The rubric score points are: (4) advanced, (3) proficient, (2) nearing proficiency, and (1) novices. This assessment in no way affects
either your grade or your progression at the university.
VIII. SYLLABUS
Attach syllabus and send digital copy with form to faculty.senate@mso.umt.edu.
The syllabus must include the list of Writing Course learning outcomes above.
SUBMISSION
After all signatures have been obtained, submit original, and an electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221. An electronic
copy of the original signed form is acceptable.
ECNS 433: ECONOMICS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Fall 2015
Syllabus
Logistics
 Time: Tuesday, Thursday; 11.10am – 12.30pm
 Classroom: McGill 237
 Instructor: Katrina Mullan
 Email: katrina.mullan@umontana.edu
 Phone: (406) 243-4655
 Office hours: Tuesday 1.30-2.30pm; Thursday 9.30-10.30am; or by appointment
 Liberal Arts Building, Rm 412
 Required textbook: Callan, S. J. and Thomas, J. M. (2013) Environmental Economics and Management: Theory,
Policy and Applications, 6th Edition. Southwestern-Cengage.
 Course website:I will post assignments, readings and any additional information on the class Moodle page. Please
check this regularly.
Course Description and Learning Outcomes
Environmental economics seeks to analyze the interaction between human activity and the environment using the tools of
economics. In this course, we will use economic theory to understand:
1) why environmental problems occur;
2) the extent to which they should be prevented;
3) how different policy mechanisms can be used to prevent them.
We will also look at how environmental economists quantify the values of environmental goods and services that are not
bought or sold in markets. The environmental issues we will study will include air and water pollution, climate change,
ecosystem conservation, deforestation, and how environmental quality relates to economic development.
Students who successfully complete this course will understand:
 how decisions about environmental protection are made
 how environmental problems result from market failures
 how trade-offs between environmental protection and economic activity can be assessed
 the key methods used to assign monetary values to non-market goods and services
 the effectiveness and efficiency of alternative policy responses to environmental problems, including air and water
pollution, climate change, and ecosystem degradation, in theory and in practice
 how economic development affects, and is affected by, environmental quality
 how to write about economics for different audiences and purposes
 how to formulate ideas and express them in a clear, organized way
 how to revise written work based on constructive feedback
 how to find and synthesize information from different theoretical and empirical sources to construct an argument
Assignments and Exams
 Four homework assignments consisting of short-answer questions. These will be posted on the course Moodle
page.
 A policy memo that concisely describes the issues relating to a policy question, and makes recommendations for a
course of action.
 A research paper analyzing an existing or proposed environmental policy instrument based on economic theory and
empirical evidence. There will be a number of preliminary stages in the development of the paper, in addition to
the final draft. The graduate increment will require the paper to be written in the form of a research proposal,
which will describe the current state of knowledge (as in the undergraduate research paper) and also outline a plan
for original empirical analysis with the objective of answering the research question.
 Individual presentation of a news item on an environmental issue, and group presentations of a policy case study
and a non-market valuation study.
Detailed guidelines for each assignment will be posted on the course Moodle page. Late assignments will be penalized.
Participation grades will be based on attendance and on participation in class discussions, writing workshops and in-class
exercises.
There will be a midterm, held during class time on October 15, and a final exam at 10.10am-12.10pm on December 17th.
These will contain multiple choice and short answer questions.
Grading
Assignment
Homework
Policy Memo
Research Paper
Valuation paper summary, policy
case study and news item
Participation
Exams
Percent of Grade
15%
10%
35%
15%
5%
20%
Academic Conduct
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course
instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University (for more details on Student Conduct Code, go to:
http://life.umt.edu/VPSA/student_conduct.php). Students are expected to do their own work in their own words, without
seeking inappropriate assistance in preparing for or completing exams or assignments. I require that you will work to
uphold high standards of integrity.
Students with Disabilities
Whenever possible, and in accordance with civil rights laws, The University of Montana will attempt to provide reasonable
modifications to students with disabilities who request and require them. Please feel free to set up a time with me to
discuss any modifications that may be necessary for this course. For more information, visit the Disability Services for
Students website at http://www.umt.edu/disability.
Outline Schedule
Week
Begins
Tentative topics (we may go faster or
slower)
Readings
1
Aug 31
Role of economics
Ch. 1
2
Sep 7
Economic efficiency: review
Ch. 2
3
Sep 14
Modeling market failure
HW1 – Sep 15
4
Sep 21
Command-and-control approach
Ch. 3 and
Coase (1960)
Ch. 4
5
Sep 28
Ch. 4 / Ch. 5
Policy Memo – Oct 1
6
Oct 5
Command-and-control approach / Marketbased approach
Market-based approach
Ch. 5
HW2 – Oct 6
7
Oct 12
Oct 19
Ch. 15&16 and Olmstead
(2010)
Ch. 7&8
Midterm – Oct 15
8
Instrument choice – application to water
pollution
Valuing environmental benefits and costs
9
Oct 26
Valuing environmental benefits and costs
10
Nov 2
Environmental decision making
Ch. 7&8 and Kling et al.
(2012)
Ch. 9
Research Paper Assignment 1 - Oct 27;
Valuation paper presentations – Oct 29
HW3 – Nov 5
11
Nov 9
Global air quality and climate change
Research Paper Assignment 2 - Nov 10
12
Nov 16
Ecosystem services
13
Deforestation
14
Nov 23 (no
class Nov 26)
Nov 30
Ch. 13, Tol (2009), and
IPCC report
Ferraro et al. (2012) and
Arriagada et al. (2012)
Rudel et al. (2009) and
Alix-Garcia et al. (2013)
Ch. 20, Stern (2004), and
Brunnschweiler and Bulte
(2008)
15
Dec 7
Wrap up and review
Final Research Paper – Dec 8
16
Dec 14
Exam week
Final Exam – Dec 17 (10.10am-12.10pm)
Environment and development
Exam dates and provisional assignment
deadlines (all assignments to be handed in
at the start of class)
Research Paper Assignment 3 – Nov 19
HW4 – Dec 3