Course: Ecological Economics
Credits: 5 ECTS
Time: September 19th- November 12th (8 weeks (38-45))
Coordinationg University: Åbo Akademi University
Coordinator: Ralf Eriksson, Åbo Akademi University, School of Business and Economics/Economics
Teaching language: English
Registration deadline: September 15th , 2011

Course content:
• the general policy perspective required by sustainability
• economic growth in a historical perspective
• sustainability conceptions and measurement within ecological economics
• economics and ethics of climate change
• global food security
• the state of the seas on earth and locally (the Baltic Sea)
• the possibility of degrowth

Objectives: To shape an integrated picture of how ecological economics combines insights from ethics, economics, ecology and economic policy science. Or: to create a basic understanding for the prerequisites for economic policy in the long run (sustainability).

Study methods and assessment procedures:
The course will be divided into sections or modules approximately corresponding to the above content. Each module will consist of
1) “lecture” (as a text or a MSpp-lecture (with or without voice)
2) a self-test,
3) an individual assessment and
4) a team-work assessment

The general assessment of the course will be based on a final exam, weighted by the general success of the student on the course. Grading 0-5 (Failed-Excellent)

Additional information: reriksso@abo.fi

Length of the course:
• 5 credits (in 10 calendar weeks)

Materials and literature:
1) Eriksson, R. and J.O. Andersson (2010) Elements of ecological economics. Routledge. (main text)
2) Edwards-Jones et al (2000) Ecological economics. An Introduction. Blackwell. (supplementary text)
3) Common, M. and S. Stagl (2005) Ecological economics. An introduction. CUP. (supplementary text)
4) Other supplementary literature and material will be handed out during the course.