ECON 2277 Environmental Economics and Policy
This course provides an introduction to the economics of environmental policy. We begin by examining market failures from externalities and public goods. We then discuss public policy options to correct these failures, and develop tools to assess the costs and benefits of each approach. With this framework in place, the remainder of the course is spent evaluating past efforts to conserve land and improve air and water quality, before concluding with an extensive discussion about global climate change policy.
Course overview
- Department
- Economics
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Catalog details
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (C) Electives: approved non-EESC courses (up to 6 credits of the 18 elective credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: Concentration: Political Economy and Development Studies – approved courses (six courses; either cluster counts) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Economics B.A.: Economics elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: IS Core: one approved Economics elective numbered 2000 or above (after ECON1101) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: C. Two foundation courses (6 credits) — One in the Social Sciences or Humanities (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.07 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.21 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Pietro Visaggio | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | — | 2 of 4 |
| Summer 2024 | Pietro Visaggio | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 14 of 24 |
| Fall 2023 | Richard Sweeney | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 of 40 |
| Fall 2022 | Richard Sweeney | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 24 of 37 |
| Fall 2021 | Richard Sweeney | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4–6 hrs/week | 27 of 37 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 02