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
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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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)

                        https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/

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