Establishing an Ecological Economics Course
in a Non-Economics Department
Getting a Foot in the Door
Kevin Horan Chris Stratton
University of Oregon
Outline
Creating the CourseChallenges and IntentionsResults & Lessons Learned Next Steps
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Creating the Course - Overview
• Structure of the Program• Impetus for the Course • Format of the Class
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Structure of the Program Submit Proposal with SyllabusOriginal Course MaterialFaculty OversightFulfills Degree Requirement for
Undergraduates
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Impetus for the course Experiences with other economics classes,
especially Environmental EconomicsA desire to introduce an interdisciplinary
perspective to the economics offerings on campus
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Format of the class
Ten Week Course, including:Theoretical Context (History & Mainstream
Econ.)Environmental EconomicsPrinciples of Ecological EconomicsBiophysical Limits to GrowthMarketing & the Creation of WantsMetrics & Ecosystem ValuationDistribution & International TradeGoing Forward – Big Think v. Little Think
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Challenges and Intentions - Overview
Theoretical ChallengesPractical/Pragmatic ChallengesPersonal Challenges
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Theoretical ChallengesFraming the CourseBalancing Theoretical & Real-WorldScope of the ClassStriving for CohesivenessMaking EE powerful, meaningful &
applicable
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Practical/Pragmatic Challenges
Varying level of students’ knowledge of economics
Dealing with varied backgrounds and interests
The text: a VERY steep learning curveLack of on-campus resourcesLack of available EE material
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Personal Challenges
Teaching outside of our comfort zoneBalancing EE with our core areas of
researchKeeping up with the diversity of “EE”
literatureBringing creativity & innovation to the
courseLeaving students with something tangible
to walk away with
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Don’t Cover Too Much
For us: only a ten week courseHad to sacrifice depth for breadthLess discussion and more lecturing than we
would’ve likedBUT we covered A LOT of topics
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Assess Students’ Economic Knowledge
Students comfortable with economics will be more open to theoretical critiques, solutions
Non-economic students had difficulty connecting with economic material
Some great real-world discussion topics: marketing, metrics, international issues, etc.
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Finding EE Materials is Challenging
Aside from the textbook, we were largely structuring the class ourselves
Be prepared to make your own connections between material and EE
Weave disparate material into a cohesive thread
More EE resources will develop as the discipline evolves
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
EE is a Powerful, Cross-disciplinary Tool
Students initially believed ecology and economics were at odds
EE has the potential to create dialog between Economics and other disciplines
Admittedly, EE is not yet commonly well-known or respected
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Next StepsThe class is not permanent, despite
student interestIts continuation is contingent on the
interests of incoming graduate studentsWould require hiring new faculty – not
likely in the short term
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
Final Thoughts
Teaching EE a great opportunityStudent response to EETeaching on the leading edgeLooking forward to the development of
other EE programs – like yours!
Creation
Challenges
ResultsNext Steps
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