Syllabus
Economics 8535-002
Environmental Economics Graduate Seminar I
Fall 2004
Nicholas Flores , Associate Professor
Economics 114
Department of Economics
University of Colorado , Boulder
Campus Box 253
Boulder, CO 80309
Voice: (303) 492-8145
Email: mailto:%20nicholas.flores@colorado.eduLocation: Economics 5
Meeting Times: Monday/Wednesday 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Friday 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; and by appointmentCouse Books:
Environmental Economics in Theory and Practice, Nick Hanley, Jason Shogren, and Ben White
A Primer on Nonmarket Valuation, Patricia Champ, Kevin Boyle, and Thomas Brown Eds.
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the concepts and methods commonly used in applying economics to investigate and solve environmental and natural resource problems. As the first of a two-course sequence, we will emphasize surveying many topics. The course will emphasize both theory/concept and application.
Course Components
(1) Classroom Activies: Class time will be devoted to lecture, discussion, and problem solving (individual and group). The books referenced above will provide much of the background reading for the course. In addition to the reference books, we will also read topic-related articles from various journals.
(2) Problem Sets: I will assign regular problem sets on the various topics we cover.
(3) In-class Examinations: You are required to take a mid-term and final examination.
(4) Project Requirement: You are required to develop an independent project with my guidance. I anticipate that given the diversity of interests, skills, and professional plans of students, this project will vary considerably across students. For example a student who plans to write a dissertation in environmental economics may want to develop a research proposal that can then lead into a third year project and become the first chapter of a disseration. A student from another department may want to develop a cross-disciplinary research project that utilizes skills from their home department along with skills acquired in the course. Other students may want to take on an empirical project based on material covered in the course. The expectation for this project is high in terms of intellectual merit and degree of polish for the final product.
Evaluative Criteria: Evaluation will be determined as follows.
Problem Sets: 10%
Mid-Term and Final Exams: 45%
Research Paper: 45%Odds & Ends: This is a Ph.D. seminar and it will work best if you become engaged in the material and you are ready to discuss/work with the material. I will expect you to keep up with course readings which means reading in advance of lectures. Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled classes.
Special Accommodations Policy
If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671). Furthermore, if you require time off for special religious or cultural holidays, this should be arranged in advance with me.
Important Class Dates
August 23, First Day of This Class
September 6, Labor Day (no Class)
September 30 - October 1, Fall Break
November 25 - 26, Thanksgiving Break
December 8, Last Day of This Class
December 15 (Wednesday), Final Exam 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.