Syllabus: What Is Nature Worth? 2013

Syllabus: What is Nature Worth? 2013

SYLLABUS: What is Nature Worth?

Economic and ethical perspectives on the value of ecosystems

EST 281

Interim 2013

Instructor: Bonnie Keeler

Email:

Room: RNS 400

Office: RNS 414

Office Hours: After class Mon-Thurs or by appointment

Mon-Thurs. Discussion 10:30-12:30

Once/week Labs 1-3pm

Introduction

Ecosystems provide many benefits to people, including food, recreation, and the provision of clean air and water. However, quantifying these benefits using traditional economic tools can be challenging. Additionally, placing a monetary value on nature may lead to unintended consequences. This course will explore the promise and potential pitfalls of economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services. Specific topics will include historical perspectives on the environmental movement,non-market valuation techniques, ethical and equity issues surrounding conservation, and metrics of sustainability. Students will work individually and in groups to address a series of case studies in environmental decision-making. Class sessions will include a combination of lecture, discussion, group activities, and hands-on lab exercises using spatial tools.

Links to St. Olaf’s academic integrity policy and honor code can be found at the following links. You should make sure that you are familiar with both of these at the beginning of the semester:

If you have a documented disability for which accommodations may be required in this class, please contact Connie Ford () or Erin Larson () in the Academic Support Center (507-786-3288 or Buntrock 108) as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. If you have already presented your documentation and/or arranged accommodations through Student Disability Services, you are required to provide me with your accommodation letter within the first week of class. Accommodations will only be provided after the letter is submitted to me and with sufficient lead-time for me to arrange testing or other accommodations.

The Disability Services link is:

Grading and Course Requirements

- Individual Reflection Paper (approximately 3 pages/900 words): 20 %

- Economics quiz: 15%

- Case study report (individual) and group presentation: 35%

- Participation: 30%

Texts

All readings will be made available on Moodle.

Attendance & Assignments

Attendance: Participation points will be awarded for each class attended. Unexcused absences will receive a 0/10 daily participation grade. Missing more than four class periods will result in an automatic fail.

Assignments: Late assignments will be marked down one fraction of a letter grade for each day that has passed beyond the deadline. Thus, an A- paper would become a B+ after one day, a B after two days, etc.

Preliminary Schedule of Readings and Assignments

Note: This schedule is tentative and will be subject to adjustments over the course of the term. All changes will be announced by email.

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