ENS242 Green Economics

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Beth Stratford (lecturer)
RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Mgr. Christian Kerschner, M.Sc., Dr. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Bohuslav Binka, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 4. 3. 17:00–18:30 P52, Thu 5. 3. 8:00–9:30 U41, Fri 6. 3. 8:00–9:30 U41, Mon 9. 3. 11:30–13:00 Studio 527, Tue 10. 3. 8:00–9:30 U32, Wed 11. 3. 8:00–9:30 U41, Thu 12. 3. 8:00–9:30 U41, Fri 13. 3. 8:00–9:30 U41
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
It will be taught via daily face-to-face teaching in a block lasting one week. Please see the study materials of the course on the course website for a detailed time outline. The aim of the course is to present a basic overview of an emerging system of thinking known as Green Economics. Green Economics is focused on a search for solutions of the current environmental crisis in the shape of new economic approaches, tools and policies, which respect planetary limits and which have the explicit goal of a just and sustainable economy. At the end of the course, the student will be able to discuss the economic implications of global warming, have learned about the issues of land, work and food from a Green Economics perspective, and will be aware of functioning models of community ownership and of case studies of Green Economic ideas applied in a British context. The course will be interactive and the lecturer, in conjunction with the students, will attempt to link the presented ideas with the present and future in Brno and Moravia.
Syllabus
  • Revision and Introduction: Why is there a need for ‘Green’ Economics? 4.3.15
  • Can we have infinite growth on a finite planet? 5.3.15
  • 'Degrowth' vs ‘Steady State’ Economics 6.3.15
  • Debt, Money and Sustainability: the case for and against monetary reform 9.3.15
  • Is a steady state /degrowth economy possible within capitalism? 10.3.15
  • Equity within Limits 11.3.15
  • Should we put a price on nature? Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation 12.3.15
  • How should we measure progress? 13.3.15
Literature
    recommended literature
  • DALY, Herman E., John B. COBB and Clifford W. COBB. For the common good :redirecting the economy toward community, the environment, and a sustainable future. 2nd ed. Boston: Beacon Press, 1994, viii, 534. ISBN 0-8070-4705-8. info
  • • Jackson, T., (2009). Prosperity without growth? UK Sustainable Development Commission. Download here: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications.php?id=914
  • • Sorrel, S. (2007). The Rebound Effect: an assessment of the evidence for economy-wide energy savings from improved energy efficiency. UK Energy Research Centre. Download here: http://aida.econ.yale.edu/~nordhaus/homepage/documents/UK_ReboundEffectRepor
  • VICTOR, Peter A. Managing without growth : slower by design, not disaster. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar, 2008, viii, 260. ISBN 9781848442054. info
  • • Coote, A., Franklin, J. and Simms, A. (2010). 21 Hours: Why a shorter working week can help us all to flourish in 21st century. New Economics Foundation. Download here: http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/entry/21-hours
  • • Ryan-Collins, J. et al., (2011). Where does money come from? New Economics Foundation. See: http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/entry/where-does-money-come-from
  • • Foster, JB. (2011). Capitalism and degrowth: An impossibility theorem. Monthly Review, January 2011, Volume 62, Number 8. Available here: http://monthlyreview.org/2011/01/01/capitalism-and-degrowth-an-impossibility-theorem/
  • • Fleming, D., and Chamberlin, S. (2011). TEQs (Tradable Energy Quotas): A Policy Framework for Peak Oil and Climate Change. The Lean Economy Connection, London, 2011. Download here: http://www.teqs.net/
  • • Measuring Our Progress. New Economics Foundation: Available here: http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/entry/measuring-our-progress
  • WILKINSON, Richard G. The spirit level : why equality is better for everyone. Edited by Kate Pickett. Publ. with revisions in Peng. London: Penguin, 2010, xvii, 346. ISBN 9780141032368. info
Teaching methods
The course will involve both powerpoint presentations of selected topics and a substantial amount of structured student discussions, activities and work in groups. The students will be encouraged to ask and answer questions and present their points of view on all the topics presented and discussed in class.
Assessment methods
Set reading will be allocated for the period before the teaching block. Assessment for the course will consist of three parts: an essay and a mark for attendance and participation.
ASSIGNMENT: 2000-3000 word essay addressing one of the following three questions: Can capitalism be made ecologically sustainable? Should we try to put a price on ecosystem services? Is monetary reform a prerequisite for achieving sustainability?
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2015/ENS242