Noblet - INT 105 Syllabus
Spring 2006
Course Basics
Class Meetings
Time: 1:10-2:00pm, MWF
Location: 120 Little Hall
Prerequisites: None
Instructor Contact Information
Caroline L. Noblet, M.S. Research Scientist and Lecturer
Department of Resource Economics and Policy
Winslow Hall, Suite 207 Office B
Phone: (207) 581-3172
Email: Caroline Noblet on FirstClass
Teaching Assistant Contact Information
Clinton Dunkle
Graduate Student
Department of Resource Economics and Policy
Winslow Hall, Suite 200
Phone: (207) 581- 3180
Email: Stephen Dunkle on FirstClass
Office Hours
Caroline Noblet: Monday and Wednesday 12 to 1 pm, other hours by appointment
Clinton Dunkle: TBA
Course Description:
This course is intended to provide students with a fundamental understanding of environmental policy. We will discuss the factors that lead to a need for environmental policy, and the role that various government agencies and citizens play in dealing with environmental issues. The role of economics as a means of understanding and evaluating environmental issues and policies will be an important part of this course.
Text:
Kraft, Michael E. (2004). Environmental Policy and Politics. Third Edition. New York, NY: Pearson Longman. [Listed on Syllabus as Kraft]
Miller, Roger LeRoy; Benjamin, Daniel K.; North, Douglas, C. (2005)
The Economics of Public Issues. Fourteenth Edition. Boston, MA:
Pearson Addison-Wesley. [Listed on Syllabus as Miller]
Other readings will be assigned, and are available on reserve and e-reserve at Fogler Library and will be posted in the FirstClass folder. The password is int105noblet. Reading assignments are due the day they are listed on the course outline.
Class Procedures and Requirements
Grading: Extra Credit Opportunities:
Homework: 25% 1. Due February 3, 2006 (Friday)
In Class Assignments/Participation: 10% 2. Due March 3, 2006 (Friday)
Midterm I: 20% 3. Due April 3, 2006 (Monday)
Midterm II: 20% 4. Due April 28, 2006 (Friday)
Final Exam: 25%
Homework & In Class Assignments:
There will be 5 to 10 homework and in-class assignments throughout the semester, which will be equally weighted. Homework will be posted in the First Class folder each of you should have on your desktop. The due date of each assignment will be announced the day it is assigned. Answers to homeworks will be provided and all assignments will be graded. Homework must be turned in on time to receive credit. Students may make-up one regular homework or in-class by completing two extra credit assignments. Students must be in class to participate and receive credit for in class assignments.
Class Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is strongly encouraged, but is not mandatory. Please note that Exams will be based on both readings, and materials discussed in class. Your best bet for success is to attend class.
Exams:
Dates of Exams:
Exam I: Friday February 17, 2006
ExamII: Friday April 7, 2006
Final: Monday May 8, 2006 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Missed Exam Policy:
Written authorization for a missed exam is required. Unauthorized exam absences will receive a failing grade.
Exam Format:
The format of the exams will be discussed further in class. Exams typically include multiple-choice and reading comprehension. The final exam will be cumulative.
Disability Policy:
Students with a disability, who may require accommodation, please speak with me as early as possible in the semester to promote success in this course and/or with Ann Smith, Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (Onward Building, 581-2319).
Course Outline
Section I: Introduction to Environmental Policy
Week 1: Introduction – Population and the Environment
Wednesday 1/18: First Day of Class
Friday 1/20: Kraft (Chapter 2)
Optional: McFalls: Population: A Lively Introduction
Week 2: History of Environmental Policy
Monday 1/23: Kraft (Chapter 4, pgs. 94-99) [Last day of Add/Drop]
Wednesday 1/25: McPhee: Encounters with the Archruid (pgs. 153-245)
Friday 1/27: McPhee: Encounters with the Archruid (pgs. 153-245)
Homework #1 ‘Footprint’ Due at Start of Class
Week 3: Design of Environmental Policy and the Environmental Movement
Monday 1/30: Kraft (Chapter 4, pgs. 99-107)
Wednesday 2/1: Carson: Silent Spring (pgs. 13-23; 97-119)
Friday 2/3: Kraft (Chapter 4, pgs. 108-120) – Extra Credit #1 due
Week 4: Environmental Ethics – Government and Politics
Monday 2/6: Pierce and VanDeVeer: People, Penguins and Plastic Trees (pgs. 1-23)
Science and Technology: Eliminating Dams- Not So Fast (pg 76)
Precautionary Principle Materials
Wednesday 2/8: Regan: The Case for Animal Rights (pgs. 211-225)
Johnson: One Man’s Cuddly Critter is Another Man’s Varmint (pgs. 1-4)
Friday 2/10: Leopold: Sand County Almanac (pgs. 237-264)
Week 5: Government and Politics
Monday 2/13: Project Vote Smart
Wednesday 2/15: Kraft (Chapter 3 and 1 pgs. 6-25)
Friday 2/17: Exam I
Section II: Introduction to Economic Principles
Week 6: Demand and Supply – Economic Markets
Monday 2/20: Miller (Chapter 1, pgs. 1-3; pgs. 29-31)
Wednesday 2/22: Mankiw, Essentials of Economics; Chapter 4 and 7
(E-Reserves) “The Market Forces of Supply and Demand”
“Consumers, Producers and the Efficiency of Markets”
Friday 2/24: Miller (Chapter 3 and 6)
Week 7: Externalities
Monday 2/27: Mankiw, Essentials of Economics; Chapter 10 “Externalities”
Wednesday 3/1: Miller (Chapter 22 pgs. 152-154)
Friday 3/3: Miller (Chapter 27) – Extra Credit #2 Due
Spring Break: 3/6 to 3/17
Week 8: Common Pool Resources and Public Goods
Monday 3/20: Review of Economics (no readings due)
Wednesday 3/22: Mankiw, Essentials of Economics; Chapter 11
“Public Goods and Common Resources”
Friday 3/24: Miller (Chapters 23 and 24)
Section III: Environmental Policy Tools and Policy in Action!
Week 9: Overview of Environmental Policy Tools
Monday 3/27: Kraft (Chapter 5 and 6)
Wednesday 3/29: Notes on Decentralized Policy Instruments
Friday 3/31: Acheson: The Lobster Gangs of Maine (pgs. 1-22) and (48-70)
Week 10: Policy Clawing into Action – A Decentralized Policy in Maine
Monday 4/3: Acheson: The Lobster Gangs of Maine (pgs. 131-152) – Extra Credit #3
Wednesday 4/5: Claws! Lobster in Maine – Course Folder
Acheson, et. al. “Evolution of the Maine Lobster Co-Management Law” (pgs. 52-63)
Friday: 4/7: Exam II
Week 11: Standards
Monday 4/10: Notes on Standards – Course Folder; Kraft (pgs. 29-36 and 122-127)
Wednesday 4/12: Kraft (pgs. 36-41 and 127-134)
Friday: 4/14: National Geographic “Urban Sprawl the American Dream? – E-reserve
Maine State Planning Office “The Cost of Sprawl” – E-reserve
Week 12: Taxes and Subsidies
Monday 4/17: Notes on Taxes/Subsidies; Miller (Chapter 25)
Clark, “Pay as you Throw” pgs. 13-20 – E-reserve
Wednesday 4/19: Jeffrey, “Congestion Charges” – E-reserve
Visit www.cclondon.com to learn more about Congestion Charges
Friday 4/21: USEPA, “Pollution Charges, Taxes and Fees” (pgs. 1-24) – E-reserve
Week 13: Transferable Permits
Monday 4/24: Notes on Transferable Permits – Course Folder
Wednesday 4/26: USEPA “Trading Program” Chapter 6 – E-reserve
Friday 4/28: Miller (Chapter 26) – Extra Credit #4 due
Week 14: Issues in Policy and Economics
Monday: 5/1: Miller Chapter 5,8 and 10
Wednesday: 5/3: No Class – Maine Day
Friday 5/5: Last Day of Class
FINAL EXAM – Monday May 8, 2006 1:30 to 3:30