Introductory description

This module aims to introduce students to some of the key economic concepts and perspectives related to global sustainable development. In particular, by adopting problem-based learning as a teaching and learning model, it examines the relationship between Economics and Public Policy in sustainable development, and the ways in which economists address real-world dilemmas linked to sustainable development.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Indicative content:

1. An Introduction to Global Sustainable Development in Economics
   How Do Economists Measure Sustainable Development?

2. The ‘Fundamental’ Determinants of Economic Development: The Debate
   The Geography Hypothesis
   The Institutional Hypothesis

3. Economics and the Environment
   Economic Development, Poverty and Environmental Degradation

4. The Economic Case for Sustainable Development Intervention: Market Failure
   Externalities. Human Capital Investment
   The ‘Tragedy of the Commons’. Environmental Quality
   Risk and Uncertainty. Land Productivity
   Asymmetric Information. Access to Credit. Governance Failure.

5. Is Globalisation Good or Bad for Development?

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Apply fundamental economic principles and techniques to the analysis of global sustainable development problems and describe how economic activity relates to social and environmental development
• Understand the basic measures of economic development, criticise these methods, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of alternative frameworks to measure sustainable economic progress
• Understand some of the most important economic cases for sustainable development policy intervention, such as theories of externalities, theories of ethics and efficiency, game theoretical explanations of collective outcomes, theories of property rights and decision-making under risk and uncertainty
• Interpret abstract economic models and apply basic quantitative information about global sustainability towards explaining and evaluating policy design
• Demonstrate an ability to undertake independent learning and research.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

Students carry out independent research for the presentation and for their essays.

Interdisciplinary

This is a core module on the Global Sustainable Development course which adopts an interdisciplinary approach spanning the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences fields in order to engage with the major global challenges facing contemporary society, explore these 'big problems,' from a variety of perspectives and consider a range of possible solutions.

International

Case studies and examples from different geographical contexts.

Subject specific skills

Apply fundamental economic principles and techniques to the analysis of global sustainable development problems and describe how economic activity relates to social and environmental development.
Understand the basic measures of economic development, criticise these methods, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of alternative frameworks to measure sustainable economic progress.
Understand some of the most important economic cases for sustainable development policy intervention, such as theories of externalities, theories of ethics and efficiency, game theoretical explanations of collective outcomes, theories of property rights and decision-making under risk and uncertainty.
Interpret abstract economic models and apply basic quantitative information about global sustainability towards explaining and evaluating policy design.

Transferable skills

Ability to undertake independent learning and research.