Time Schedule:
Zbigniew M Bochniarz
PB AF 599
Seattle Campus
Study and analysis of special topics in public affairs. Topics vary each quarter depending on curricular needs and interests of students and faculty. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Class description
This course focuses on economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable development. It is designed for current and future political, NGO and business leaders, community activists, government regulators and professionals who seek to ensure a greater degree of public good provision. The first part of the course covers basics of environmental economics, policy and institutional design. The second part focuses on practical applications from developing countries, transitional economies from Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia (mainly PR China) and from advanced economies (mainly European Union). The last class is devoted to the global issues and serves as a summary of the course.
Student learning goals
The main goal is to expose the students to the sustainable development theoretical concepts and its practical applications around the world. At the end of the course, students will:
„« understand the concept and recognize the principles of sustainable development;
„« acknowledge the importance of the sustainable development debate in the context of globalization;
„« become familiar with the methods of sustainable development implementation in different economic and social systems;
„« be able to design strategies and use policy instruments that promote sustainable development
General method of instruction
This is an interactive course. The short lectures, guest and students presentations are followed by discussions and exercises, including competitive case studies. There is always a brief summary at the end of class.
Recommended preparation
Students are expected to: (1) read about sustainable development, (2) make presentations and discuss the current topics, (3) prepare a term paper. The prerequisites include at least Principles of Economics.
Class assignments and grading
(1) Do the reading assignments (not exceeding 150 p. per week), review the required and selected articles from the recommended literature, and participate in class discussion. The required book is: • Tom Tietenberg, Environmental Economics and Policy, (Fifth Edition) Boston, Addison Wesley, 2006. (2) Prepare a term paper of about 20 double-spaced typewritten pages. The choice and exact specification of the subject is left to the student. The lecturer is, however, available for advice.
40% - Class participation including • To serve as a Literature Commentator of the required and/or recommended readings at for one of our classes including short oral presentation accompanied by power point presentation and a written summary of readings ¡V 30% of grade; • To participate actively in class discussion and case/team problem solving ¡V 10 % of grade; 60% - Term paper (including 10% for a short power point presentation).
