ENSn4444 Economics for Environmentalists

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Bohuslav Binka, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Ing. Stanislav Kutáček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ing. Martin Černý (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Patrik Gažo (seminar tutor)
Mgr. et Mgr. Sandra Silná (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Bohuslav Binka, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Kristína Markechová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 8:00–9:40 U32
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! HEN444 Economics for Environmentalist &&!NOW( HEN444 Economics for Environmentalist )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to:
Present a basic overview of the assumptions, concepts and methods of mainstream economics while cultivating a critical perspective stemming from hetorodox economic and other streams of thought. Emphasis will be placed on the environmental aspects and implications of the topics discussed.
For a deeper understanding of the course topics,it i suggested students register for the course: ENSn4659 Seminar - Economics for environmentalists.
Learning outcomes
After having taken the course, the student will:
understand basic economic assumptions, concepts, assertions and thought patterns, informed by an environmental perspective,
be able to discuss the hidden assumptions behind the concepts and assertions of mainstream economics and their environmental implications,
enhance her/his capacities of critical thinking, reflection, discussion and dialogue.
Syllabus
  • 1.Introduction to course, mutual expectations, evaluation system, overview of course aims and topics
  • 2.Hidden assumptions behind mainstream economics
  • 3.Supply and demand, efectivity and productivity, general equlibrium model and pareto optimum
  • 4.A critical look at supply and demand, efectivity and productivity, general equlibrium model and pareto optimality
  • 5.Contingent evaluation methods, cost- benefit analysis, reflections on their hidden assumptions
  • 6. Money and us
  • 7. Economic growth as an economic evergreen, questions around green growth
  • 8.Critique of economic growth, other paradigms: Buen vivir, degrowth
  • 9.Equality and inequality, distribution and equity, models and reality
  • 10.Nature and ownership from the perspective of mainstream economics
  • 11. Limitations of private property, the commons
  • 12.Laissez-faire, free trade and protectionism
  • 13. Critique of the ideas of free trade, the idea of economic localisation
Literature
    recommended literature
  • SPASH, Clive. Routledge Handbook of Ecological Economics: Nature and Society. Routledge, Abingdon, 2017
  • ACKERMAN, Frank: Can we afford the future? The economics of a warming world. Zed Books,London, 2009
  • A future beyond growth : towards a steady state economy. Edited by Haydn Washington - Paul Twomey. First publieshed. London: Earthscan, from Routledge, 2016, xxiv, 256. ISBN 9781138953024. info
  • JOHANISOVÁ, Naděžda. Ekologická ekonomie: vybrané kapitoly (Ecological Economics: Selected Chapters). 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2014, 88 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-7116-2. info
  • HILL, Roderick and Anthony MYATT. The economics anti-textbook : a critical thinker's guide to microeconomics. London: Zed Books, 2010, ix, 305. ISBN 9781842779392. info
  • SMITH, Adam. Pojednání o podstatě a původu bohatství národů. Translated by Vladimír Irgl. Nové, přeprac. vyd. opatř. Praha: Liberální institut, 2001, 986 s. ISBN 8086389162. info
  • FRIEDMAN, Milton. Essays in positive economics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1953, 328 s. ISBN 0226264033. info
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by selected Internet information and a film, structured discussions during class, regular compulsory readings during course.
Assessment methods
Evaluation: compusory readings during course weeks, minimum attendance at 5 classes, voluntary written test, oral examination. For each course, students receive a detailed sylabus which includes an update of the required readings.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
A non-compulsory course, enabling a deeper interactive immersion in the course topics, ENSn4659 (Seminar -Economics for Environmentalists) is offerend in parallel with this course.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2020/ENSn4444