ECN350 Development and Global Change
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Showing course contents for the educational year 2022 - 2023 .
Course responsible: Stein Terje Holden
Teachers: Ragnar Arnljot Øygard, Arild Einar Bjørn Angelsen
ECTS credits: 10
Faculty: School of Economics and Business
Teaching language: EN
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
20
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel.
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2009-2010
Preferential right:
M-ECON
Course contents:
The course focuses on global challenges and threats to/possibilities for sustainable development. It includes controversies in development where there are competing views and theories. The global challenges include climate change and policy responses, population growth and employment creation, migration and youth unemployment, land degradation and land policies, local and global food security, impacts of the Corona pandemic, inequality and political (in-)stability/conflicts. Contradicting perspectives include theories on rationality of agents, Malthus versus Boserup, Hardin versus Ostrom, free trade versus protectionism, human rights, national sovereignty and the role of UN.
Learning outcome:
Students will familiarize themselves with many of the big development challenges and learn about alternative perspectives related to these, based on literature and internet sources provided through Canvas.
Each student will select two issues that they will dig deeper into and write two papers each about using a scientific style of writing. This will give them training in focusing, outlining and writing literature reviews in English.
They will learn to search for relevant literature for their issues papers by use of Google Scholar.
They will get experience with scientific writing with careful use of references (in English).
The students learn through presenting their papers to each other (compulsory workshops).
They learn to give constructive written and oral comments to two papers each on the topic and how it was presented.
They will learn through the comments they get on their own papers and the revisions of their papers based on the comments before they submit their final papers.
Learning activities:
Self-study of material in Canvas.Choice of two topics for two papers with focused research questions and paper outline.Search for relevant literature in Google Scolar for own chosen topics.Writing of two own papers in English with proper scientific use of references.Presentation of own papers for other students (and teacher).Give written and oral comments to two papers written by other students.Revise own papers based on comments from other students and the teacher.
Teaching support:
Canvas material (literature, YouTube links, exercises, guidelines for essay writing).
Lectures on choice of topics, choice of research questions, outlining of papers, literature search, and writing.
Supervision related to paper topic choice, problem formulation, theoretical approach, use of literature, and writing papers.
Comments from the instructor on outlines of papers and drafts.
Comments from other students on own papers.
Syllabus:
Material prepared in Canvas (multiple sources). Additonal literature for self-selected essay topics.
Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge in Economics. English writing and speaking.
Recommended prerequisites:
Assessment:
Portfolio evaluation, course grade (A-F) based on:
Submission of two draft papers per stated deadlines in the course. Oral presentation by the student on their own two papers in two course workshops. Provide written and oral comments to two papers by other students in the two course workshops. Revise the two own papers based on comments from other student and teacher, and the final submission of the two papers within the set deadline.
- 2 completed and submitted papers (by the deadline set) and presentations (2*40%).
- 2 comments given (written and oral) to two papers presented by other students (2*10%).
Nominal workload:
250 hours
Type of course:
2 hours per week in the beginning of the semester
2 course workshops, one in the middle of the semester and one at the end of the semester
Supervision and meetings based on demand by students
Note:
The course is in English. Incoming students can contact student advisors at the School of Economics and Business (studieveileder-hh@nmbu.no) for admission to the course.
The course is organized jointly with a PhD-version of the course (ECN450).
Examiner:
External sensor assesses the course outline and material. The grading is done by the teacher(s).
Examination details: Portfolio: Letter grades