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

Results and Lessons Learned

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

Thanks!

Questions? Comments?