Syllabus: Economics of Sustainability

Course Description

How can the economy be harnessed to serve world sustainability? What makes this question so ironic is that the growth in the physical scale of the economy and its rapacious character under economic globalization has depleted resources, destroyed ecosystems, overwhelmed natural waste disposal sinks, waged war on subsistence cultures, and produced shocking maldistribution of wealth and income. How, then, can the economy be turned around to reinforce sustainable development rather than to destroy ecosystems, resource endowments, and indigenous cultures? This alchemy must be resolved to promote sustainability.

The familiar definition of sustainable development from the Brundtland Commission Report (World Commission on Environment and Development), Our Common Future, defines sustainable development as: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." What economic strategies can promote sustainability? Has the concept been greenwashed to serve narrow commercial interests?

The Economics of Sustainability takes up the challenge of working out an ethical and strategic analysis upon which to base business models and practices, civic action, and public policy, incorporating the Triple Bottom Line. The global economy, a robust engine of change, must generate world sustainability rather than amplify entropy or indulge narrow interests. This challenge must include but transcend notions of a green economy and must extend its principles globally and inclusively.

Goals

Books and Resources

Please purchase these books for our course:

Leonard, Annie: The Story of Stuff: How are Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and a Vision for Change (New York: Free Press, 2010)
McKibben, Bill: Deep Economy (New York: Times Books, 2007)

Your professor will maintain an active web site and a wiki for presentation of lecture notes, distribution of course material, class interaction, and links to web-based content. Of special importance is the course schedule, which may adjust as he semester rolls along. The goal of the web site is to offer to students and other sustainers who might wander onto the site an explanation of economics as a toolkit for sustainability.

Grading Policy

Students are responsible for attending class, for all material covered or assigned, for completing assignments on time, and for participating in class exercises and discussions. Reading assignments should be done before the class for which they are assigned. Students are expected to present their own original thinking for writing assignments and oral presentations.

This revised grading policy was promulgated with class involvement and concurrence on January 31:

Two responses to the discussion of course readings @ 4 points each for a combined 8 points. You should be able to provide a short summary of the assignment, three to five bullet points, and a statement of your personal reaction to the assigned reading. You and I will then lead a brief class discussion. The responses will conclude on March 21.
A term paper (or other approved project) proposal of 2 or 3 pages @ 8 points with (1) a succinct theme paragraph and highlighted theme sentence; (2) an outline or strategy as to how the project will be conducted and presented; (3) a list of at least 4 supportive sources that indicate the availability of research resources; (4) and a statement of how you feel about the proposed project. The grading will be weighed @ 4 points for integration and @ 4 points for content. The proposal directly supports the term paper described below. The proposal is due by class on February 28 and will be returned by class time on March 7.
An interpretive essay of about 12 pages that explains the significance and role of economics in understanding sustainability @ 32 points. The grading will be weighted at 16 points for content and 16 points for depth. I will more fully define this assignment shortly, but the material for the paper should be based on the reading for the course as displayed in the schedule. Your task here is to demonstrate that you have grasped the course material and that you can explain the intersection of economics and sustainability. The essay is due by class time on April 11.
A 5 minute class presentation of your term paper @ 10 points. Expect 10 minutes of discussion. The presentations are scheduled for class on April 25 and May 2.
A term paper (or other approved project) of around 16 pages based on your proposal, above, @ 32 points. The term paper or project should support economic aspects of your anticipated final project or contribute in any other way to your goals as a student pursuing advanced study around an economic aspect of a theme related to sustainability. The paper will be graded as to depth, content, writing style, and integration. The project is due by May 9.
Active contribution to the class by constructive participation @ 10 points.

Policy on Academic Integrity and Students With Disabilities

Academic Integrity: Students are expected to read and understand Ramapo College's academic integrity policy, which can be found in the Ramapo College Catalog. Members of the Ramapo College community are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Students who violate this policy will receive a failing grade and may be referred to the Office of the Provost for further disciplinary action.

Students with Disabilities: Students who need course adaptation or accommodations because of a documented disability or related special circumstance should work with the Office of Special Services to appropriately inform faculty of their needs.

SUST64001 CRN 20977 \| SSEC Classroom \| W 6:30 - 10:00 P.M. \| Schedule \| Bulletin Board
Professor Wayne Hayes, Ph.D	201-684-7751 whayes@ramapo.edu	Office Hours: G-231: T 2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. W: 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. & SSEC: T 5:00 - 6:00 P.M. W 5:30 - 6:30 P.M.