Welcome to the on-line syllabus supporting Ecology, Economics, and Ethics, SENV30501. Your professor is Wayne Hayes, Ph.D. My office is G-231, my Ramapo phone is (201) 684-7751, and my eddress is whayes@ramapo.edu. Welcome!
Our inquiry will be guided by the following problematic:
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 under the prevailing regime of 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 now familiar definition of sustainable development from the Brundtland Commission Report (World Commission on Environment and Development) defines sustainable development as: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." How adequate is this definition? Can the precept adequately define guidelines for policy prescription and ethical principles? Does it ensure justice? Will democracy be nurtured? What economic strategies can promote sustainability? Has the concept been distorted to serve narrow commercial interests?
Ecological economics takes up the challenge of working out an ethical and strategic analysis upon which to base civic action, public policy, and normative legitimacy. The global economy, a robust engine of change, must generate world sustainability rather than amplify entropy or indulge corporate interests.
The purpose of Ecology, Economics, and Ethics is to provide sustainers an overview of how economics might appropriately and ethically enhance world sustainability.
Two goals guide our course:
The following required texts are available in the Ramapo bookstore:
Additional course materials will be distributed in class or made available on the course web site: www.oocities.org/profwork/eee/index.html.
The on-line schedule displays the timetable of class events and will be updated as needed.
Grading will be based on the following distribution:
Grades will be scaled as follows: A = 93 and above; A- = 90 to 92; B+ = 87 to 89; B = 83 to 86; B- = 80 to 82; C+ = 77 to 79; C = 73 to 76; C- = 70 to 72; D+ = 67 to 69; D = 60 to 66; F < 60.
Attendance, of course, is mandatory. Perfect attendance will be rewarded with a bonus of two points. Missing a single session will be held as neutral. After that, every missed session will lead to a deduction of two points. Missing a significant portion of the class session, such as arriving late or leaving early, will lead to a prorated deduction at the discretion of the professor. Excused absences, counting as half an absence, may be granted for good cause, but may require documentation and should be arranged in advance whenever feasible. Holy days will be respected. Late submission of required written work may be docked points.
The rules of academic integrity set forth in the Student Handbook will be strictly enforced.
I will hold office hours in G-231 on Monday and Thursday from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. and on Wednesday by appointment. I am generally available for brief consultation immediately before and after class. My office phone, which is equipped with voice mail, is (201) 684-7751. Since the Ramapo voice mail system often drops messages, the best way to reach me is through e-mail, whayes@ramapo.edu.
Students with special needs should contact me at their earliest convenience. Individual accommodations for special needs will be cheerfully arranged. If you need course adaptation due to a documented disability, please see me. Welcome aboard!
Ecology, Economics, and Ethics Web Site |
Page: © Wayne Hayes, Ph.D. | ™ ProfWork |
whayes@ramapo.edu
Initialized:
January 19, 2006 | Last Update: January 20, 2006