Economics 308 ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS
	Fall 2019

Assignments

| Research Paper | Short Assignment | Extra Credit |

• Research paper

The research paper allows you to develop in-depth knowledge of a particular aspect of environmental economics. The paper can be an individual or a team effort. The approximate length of the paper should be 8 - 10 pages for individual efforts, more for group projects.  The paper should present some data in the form of a table, graph, or both.  A bibliography, reference, or works cited section with at least five sources (at least one non-Internet source) should be included.  

Possible approaches

• An examination of one aspect of environmental or natural resource economic theory

Ex. - Property Rights and Pollution

Ex. - The Optimal Rate of Forest Harvesting

• An examination of public policies related to environmental or natural resource economics

Ex. - Subsidizing Solar Energy

Ex. - The Economics of "The Green New Deal"

• Theory or policy as they relate to a specific area or region

Ex. - Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Ex. - Water Pollution Control in the San Diego-Tijuana Region

• Environmental or natural resource economic issues in an international context

Ex. - Air Pollution in the People's Republic of China

Ex. - Deforestation in the Amazon

• Analysis of data

Ex. - Factors Affecting the Population Growth Rate in Developing Countries

• Application of environmental economic analysis tools

Ex. - Benefit-Cost Analysis of Dam Breaching in the U.S. Northwest

• Anything else you can think of

• Short Assignment

• Cost Benefit Analysis

• Extra Credit

  The field of environmental economics is immense, and there is not enough time in the class to deal with all its nuances. Students wishing to explore some of these nuances have the opportunity to earn extra credit. Anything extra that you do that increases your knowledge of environmental economic issues can earn you extra credit. Some possibilities include:

  • Article Analysis (2% each)

    Read an article dealing with a topic involving environmental economics. Submit a short paper of up to two pages that includes the following:  (1) a summary of the article; (2) an analysis of the article using the economic concepts developed in class, including graphical analysis; and (3) your opinion of the article’s conclusion, if appropriate.  The article analysis must deal with a topic different than that covered in your class paper. Only one person can submit an analysis of a particular article. The first person to propose an article gets to do it.

  • Public Events (2% each)

    Attend a speech, presentation, or program dealing with an environmental economic issue. Submit a typed report of up to two pages summarizing what was said or done and reflecting on the event.

  • Community Service (2% each)

    Volunteer for an organization dealing with environmental issues. Submit a typed report of up to two pages summarizing and reflecting on your experiences.

There is a limit of one opportunity in each of the categories listed above. Please get approval in advance for any extra credit you attempt. All extra credit reports are due by the last day of the semester.