https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211464515300646
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fb92/a139dfb1b1077addd21711b3ac5b3577a634.pdf
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Sunday, April 21, 2019
ECON 295: Introduction to Sustainable Development
Welcome Back! I hope everyone had a relaxing break. Here is the syllabus for the semester - please take a look before class tomorrow.
ECON 295: Introduction to Sustainable Development
Washington and Lee University
Spring 2019
Professor: James F. Casey
Email: caseyj@wlu.edu
Class: MWF
9-12, CGL 104
Office Hours: MW
12-2 and TR by appointment
Office Location: Holekamp 119
Course Description
In September 2015, the world/UN adopted
a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2015-2030 to replace the
Millennium Development Goals when they expired in 2015. These SDGs set targets
for reducing poverty, protecting the environment, and increasing equality of
opportunity for those who may have had less than equal opportunity in the past
– These are the three pillars of Sustainable Development. The primary objective of this course is to provide
an introduction to the concept, theories, and potential outcomes of sustainable
development. In addition to this, we
will take a case study approach and look at policies and programs that have
aimed to address each of the SDGs. By
the end of the term, you will have been introduced to sustainability through policies
addressing oceans, biodiversity, climate, energy, education, social investment and
health.
Learning
Objectives
The course learning objectives focus on broad knowledge
attainment, critical thinking, research, writing and presentation skills.
By
the end of the semester, students should:
- Be familiar with conceptual debates on sustainable
development - understanding basic issues, trends, and concepts in the
field of sustainable development
- Be familiar with
current and emerging global issues related to the Sustainable Development
Goals
w
Have a greater understanding of some of the
strategies and examples of ways in which government and the private sector can
contribute to sustainable development
- Demonstrate critical thinking, research, writing and presentation skills in a poster presentation format.
Course Structure
& Requirements
There are 16 students in this class. On the first day, you will be divided into four
groups of four students and will be assigned to one of the following four
regional-economic units.
1. US-EU
2. Sub-Saharan Africa
3. South Asia
4. East Asia Pacific
Each group will complete the following 3 assignments:
- Group Led Class Discussion -
On your assigned day (see schedule below), you will be
responsible for 2 things. First, you will provide us with an overview of
your region in the context of the SDGs. Here is a great place to start.
Second, you will assign two papers for the class to read and
will lead the discussion of those papers.
These papers should be sent to me, electronically, one week before we
are scheduled to discuss them and I will post them to our blog.
We have three hours of class scheduled, so you should think
about using approximately 50 minutes for your background report, taking a 10-minute
break and reconvening for the remaining time to discuss the assigned readings.
- Class Participation –
I expect students to read each day’s
assigned readings, be prepared to discuss them, and to participate actively. On
days when your group is not presenting, your group must come to class with a
list of questions or comments about the days assigned reading. This is your ticket to class (I will explain). This, also, means you need to meet with your
group outside of class. Even if you are
uncomfortable speaking in class, I urge you to step out of your comfort zone as
much as possible, and I will help to create a supportive classroom environment.
Developing confidence in public speaking is a crucial skill, and is important
for the overall quality of our joint learning.
- Final Poster Presentation –
This assignment will provide you with an opportunity to present
your final summation of your region to the broader W&L community. This final project will be informed by assignment
number 1. You are correct to assume that
group #1 will have less to present on class discussion day and much work to do
by the last day and group #4 will have a more polished presentation for class
discussion day with little to update before the last day. I will grade accordingly, I promise!
Exams –
We will have 3 short exams. Each exam will be based on
material covered the previous 2 days. They will be administered in class on
each of the first three Friday meetings.
Grading
Student-led Class Discussion 20%
Class Participation 20%
Exams 30%
Poster Presentation 25%
Group Evaluation 5%
Class Outline
(with assigned readings)
WEEK ONE:
Monday: Introductions,
overview, expectations.
Economic
Development: Theoretical frameworks –
Production
Functions, AS-AD, Market Failure
Wednesday:
What is Sustainability?
What is Sustainable Development?
and
Sustainability: An
Economist’s Perspective
Friday: Exam 1
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)
Sachs, J.D., “From Millennium Development
Goals to Sustainable Development Goals,” The Lancet, Volume 379, Issue
9832, Pages 2206 - 2211, 9 June 2012. 6 pages. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60685-0/fulltext
WEEK TWO:
Monday:
Energy, Food, and Climate
Wednesday:
Education and Health
Friday:
Exam 2, Outside
WEEK THREE:
Monday:
Group 1 – Overview
of your region and 2 assigned journal articles
Wednesday:
Group 2 - Overview
of your region and 2 assigned journal articles
Friday:
Exam
3, Outside
WEEK FOUR:
Monday:
Group 3 – Overview
of your region and 2 assigned journal articles
Wednesday:
Group 4 - Overview
of your region and 2 assigned journal articles
Friday:
Spring
Term Festival - 12-2PM, Leyburn Library
Additional (useful)
material:
Official
and Important University Policies and Statements:
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Washington and Lee affirms that
diverse perspectives and backgrounds enhance our community. We are committed to
the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff who
embody many experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and identities.
As engaged citizens in a global and diverse society, we seek to advance a
positive learning and working environment for all through open and substantive
dialogue (Revised and Approved by the Board of Trustees, February 11, 2018).
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Washington and Lee University
makes reasonable academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities.
All undergraduate accommodations must be approved by the Title IX Coordinator
and Director of Disability Resources. Students requesting accommodations for
this course should present an official accommodation letter within the
first two days of the term and schedule a meeting outside of class
time to discuss accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to present
this paperwork in a timely fashion and to follow up about accommodation
arrangements. Accommodations for test-taking must be arranged with the
professor at least a week before the date of the test or exam, including finals
(Committee on Courses and Degrees July 28, 2017). For more information,
please see https://www.wlu.edu/the-college/for-students/disability-accommodations.
MEETING BASIC NEEDS
Any student facing issues of food
insecurity, lacking a safe and stable place to live, or any other situation
that they believe may affect their well-being or performance in this course is
urged to: 1) contact a Dean in Student Affairs for support; and 2) notify the
instructor, who may be able to offer additional assistance.
A note on the honor system: Students must adhere to W&L’s Honor
System. Be vigilant in the use and
citation of others’ work when writing a paper or presenting a poster. https://www.wlu.edu/executive-committee/the-honor-system/the-white-book
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Friday, November 30, 2012
Last one for the year
Please read the executive summary for Thursday's class.
http://climatechange.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/Turn_Down_the_heat_Why_a_4_degree_centrigrade_warmer_world_must_be_avoided.pdf
Chances are we will have a quiz Tuesday on the chapter and Thursday on this reading.
JC
http://climatechange.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/Turn_Down_the_heat_Why_a_4_degree_centrigrade_warmer_world_must_be_avoided.pdf
Chances are we will have a quiz Tuesday on the chapter and Thursday on this reading.
JC
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Agroforestry Adoption in Mexico
An old paper from someone who is rapidly getting old - http://home.wlu.edu/~caseyj/jpke.pdf
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)