ECO8012 Tools and Techniques for Sustainable Development

Staffing

Examiner: Roger Lawrey
Moderator: Jeffrey Gow

Other requisites

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm.

Rationale

Since the 1970s, mainstream economic policies aimed at maximising economic growth have come under increasing scrutiny regarding their disregard of the resulting effects on the environment; particularly the effects of pollution from industrial production, the depletion of natural resources and impacts on biodiversity. Although these limits to growth had been recognised by Classical economists in the late 18th century, it was work such as “The economics of the coming spaceship earth” by Kenneth Boulding in 1966 (in Daly 1973) that began a process that has resulted in the current international drive for sustainable development. This recognition has now been institutionalised to the extent that many government policies exist with the explicit aim of promoting sustainable development. The policies are generally aimed at changing the way that individuals and businesses make decision about production and consumption of goods and services. As such, it is important from a business perspective to understand the design of these tools and techniques for sustainable development and how they impact on firms and their customers.

Synopsis

This course is concerned with the policy tools that governments use to try to achieve sustainable development and how businesses and individuals may react to those tools. The course stresses the complementary nature of economic and environmental systems, and examines the growing recognition of the importance of natural resources and the environment in economic policy decision making. Government intervention in markets is an integral element in the drive for sustainable development, and managers as well as individuals should be aware of the importance of these policies. Policy tools can be considered in three groups: decentralized policies such as liability laws, property rights and voluntary action; 'command and control' strategies such as standards and regulations; and market-based programs such as taxes, subsidies and tradable pollution permits. Important examples of these policies in Australia in 2013 are the mineral resource rent tax and the carbon market. This course examines the nature and impact of each of these policies, discusses criteria for evaluating their effectiveness in achieving their goals, and considers their appropriateness for particular aspects of sustainable development.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload requirements

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Students must attach an application for late submission to any assignment sent to the university after the due date.
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in this examination are:
   1. writing materials. These must be non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination.
   2. calculator which cannot hold textual information. The student must indicate on the examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) used during the examination.
   
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
   
   
8. University Student Policies:
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/search/category/usq_document_policy_type/Student.1.html.
   
   

Assessment notes

1. Assignments:
   1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the examiner.
   2. Students must retain a copy of each assignment submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the examiner.
   3. In accordance with university policy, the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
   4. The examiner will not accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
   5. Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
   6. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience.
   
   
   
2. Referencing in assignments:
   Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide at http://www.usq.edu.au/library/help/referencing/default.htm.
   
   
3. Deferred work:
   Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
   
   
4. Make-up work:
   Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
   
   

Other requirements

1. Computer, e-mail and Internet access:
   Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm.