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Course Title: Seminar in Natural Resource Economics
Date of Preparation: March 1999
Prepared by: Anne E. Bresnock
COURSE OUTLINE
I. Catalog Description
EC 429 Seminar in Natural Resource Economics (4)
Intensive study of natural resource availability, natural resource management problems, and the roles of markets and government in the development and allocation of natural resources over time. Focus on key natural resource sectors including: energy, nonenergy minerals, forestry, and fisheries. 4 seminars. Prerequisites: EC 201 or EC 202.
II. Required Background or Experience
EC 201 or EC 202.
III. Expected Outcomes
Students in EC 429 will:
a) summarize and analyze the economic history of natural resource management problems in the U.S.,
b) analyze historical, current and future trends in use and availability of natural resources,
c) examine economic theories of natural resource allocation,
d) identify and describe solutions to problems in managing natural resources, the implications of solutions to these problems, and directions for future resource management,
e) examine the interrelationships between economic allocation decisions and policy formulation, and
f) investigate global natural resource management concerns and solutions to global management of natural resources, and
g) compare and contrast traditional and sustainable natural resource management practices.
IV. Text and Readings
Texts:
Dower, R., et al, eds. Frontiers of Sustainability (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1997).
Knight, R.L. and S.F. Bates, eds. A New Century for Natural Resources Management (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1995).
Tietenberg, T. Environmental Economics and Policy, 2nd Edition (Menlo Park, CA: Addison Wesley, 1998).
Readings:
Aplet, G.H., N. Johnson, J.T. Olson and V.A. Sample, eds. Defining Sustainable Forestry (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1993).
Barnett, H.J. and C. Morse Scarcity and Growth: The Economics of Natural Resource Availability (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1963).
Bates, S.F, D.H. Getches, L.J. Macdonnell, and C.F. Wilkinson Searching Out the Headwaters: Change and Rediscovery in Western Water Policy (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1993).
Carson, R. The Sea Around Us (New York: Oxford University Press, 1950).
Clark, C. Mathematical Bioeconomics: The Optimal Management of Renewable Resources (New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1976).
Clawson, M., and J.L. Knetsch, Economics of Outdoor Recreation (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1966).
Clawson, M. Forests: For Whom and For What? (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1975).
Crosson, P.R., and S. Brubaker Resource and Environmental Effects of U.S. Agriculture (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press for Resources for the Future, Inc., 1982).
Curiee, T. R. The Economic Feasibility of Recycling: A Case Study of Plastic Wastes (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1986).
Daly, H. Steady-State Economics, 2nd Edition (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1991).
Dasgupta, P.S. and G.M. Heal Economic Theory and Exhaustible Resources (Oxford: Cambridge University Press, 1979).
Dzurik, A.A. Water Resources Planning (Savage, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1990).
Ehrlich, P. and A. Extinction (New York: Ballantine Books, 1981).
Fisher, A. C. Resource and Environmental Economics (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1981).
Gibbons, D. C. The Economic Value of Water (Washington, D.C.: Resources for the Future, 1986).
Griffin, J.M. and H.B. Steele, 2nd Edition Energy Economics and Policy (San Francisco, CA: Academic Press, 1986).
Hartwick, J.M. and N.D. Olewiler The Economics of Natural Resource Use, 2nd Edition (Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley, 1998).
Hoffman, A. Vision or Villainy: Origins of the Owens Valley (College Station, TX: Texas A and M University Press, 1981).
Howe, C.W. Natural Resource Economics (New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1979).
Johnston, G.M., D. Freshwater and P. Favero Natural Resource and Environmental Policy Analysis: Cases in Applied Economics (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1988).
Kahn, H., W. Brown and L. Martel The Next 200 Years: A Scenario for American and the World (New York: William Morrow, 1976).
Klemperer, W.D. Forest Resource Economics and Finance (San Francisco, CA: McGraw-Hill, 1996).
Kneese, Allen V. and James L. Sweeney, eds., Handbook of Natural Resource and Energy Economics, Vol. III (Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1986).
Krutilla, J.V. and A.C. Fisher, The Economics of Natural Environments: Studies in the Valuation of Commodity and Amenity Resources (Washington, D.C.: Resources for the Future, 1985).
Krutilla, J.V., ed. Natural Environments: Studies in Theoretical and Applied Analysis, (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1972).
Landsberg, H.H., ed. Energy: The Next Twenty Years (Cambridge, MA: Ballinger Publishing Company, 1979).
Mancke, R.B. The Failure of U.S. Energy Policy (New York: Columbia University Press, 1974).
Maser, C. Sustainable Forestry: Philosophy, Science and Economics (Delray Beach, FL: St. Lucie Press, 1994).
Meadows, D.H., D.L. Meadows, et al. The Limits to Growth (New York: Universe Books, 1972).
Page, T. Conservation and Economic Efficiency: An Approach to Materials Policy (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1977).
Pearce, D.W. and R.K. Turner Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1990).
Pirages, D.C., ed. The Sustainable Society, (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1977).
Porter, D.R. and D.A. Salvesen Collaborative Planning for Wetlands and Wildlife: Issues and Examples (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1995).
Repetto, R. The Forest for the Trees: Government Policies and the Misuse of Forest Resources, (Washington, D.C.: World Resources Institute, 1988).
Rosenberg, N. Technology and American Economic Growth (New York: Harper Torch Books, 1972).
Schultz, T. P. Economics of Population (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1981).
Simon, J.L. and H. Kahn The Resourceful Earth: A Response to Global 2000 (New York: Blackwell, 1984).
Smith, V. K., ed. Scarcity and Growth Reconsidered (Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979).
Van Den Bergh, J.C.J.M. and J. Van Der Straaten Toward Sustainable Development: Concepts, Methods, and Policy (Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1994).
V. Minimum Student Materials
Textbooks, notebooks, and access to reference materials and computing facilities.
VI. Minimum College Facilities
Classroom equipped with blackboards/whiteboards, overhead projector, and personal computers, both PC and Mac, with "big screen" monitor for demonstration of interactive lessons/applications of course concepts. Pull-down screen for use of audio-visual equipment, ie. overheads, newsreels.
VII. Course Outline
A. Overview of Natural Resource Field
1. Characteristics and Definitions
2. Major Natural Resource Issues
3. Historical Review of Natural Resource Movements
4. Resource Scarcity and Factors Mitigating Scarcity
5. Roll of Economics in Natural Resource Policy Formulation and Management
B. Natural Resource Use and Production
1. Basic Model of Natural Resource Use
2. Nature of Natural Resource Stocks
3. Impacts of Natural Resource Availability on Economic Growth
4. Optional Resource Use Over Time and Market Behavior
C. Natural Resource Scarcity
1. Empirical Scarcity Indicators
2. Factors Mitigating Natural Resource Scarcity
3. Intertemporal Comparisons of Well-Being
D. Natural Resource Management
1. Energy Resources
2. Mineral Resources
3. Forestry Resources
4. Common Property Resources
5. Fishery Resources
6. Water Resources
7. Food Resources
E. Sustainable Natural Resource Policy
1. Definition of Sustainable Natural Resource Policy
2. Guidelines for Sustainable Natural Resource Policy
3. Necessary Conditions for a Sustainable Decision-Making
VIII. Instructional Methods
There are four methods of instruction. Students will:
1. participate in seminar discussions pertaining to lecture and required reading materials,
2. prepare a written term paper and an oral presentation of their paper which will be reviewed by the instructor, and
3. complete written examinations on required course materials.
IX. Evaluation of Outcomes
There are four methods of evaluations. Students will:
1. participate in the seminar,
2. prepare and present to the class a paper of 5-7 pages on a specific natural resource issue,
3. submit weekly written analysis of at least two pages on professor directed natural resource materials, and
4) write two essay/problem-solving examinations.
