Course Outline


                        For a three-week course at Masaryk University, Brno


Climate change, financial crisis and out-of-control globalisation—all the major problems facing the
world have their root in the economic system. The system is broken: we need something radically
different. This is what green economics offers. It is a coherent and wide-ranging set of policy
prescriptions for a just and sustainable economy that has been developed over the past 30 years.
Starting out with a recognition of planetary limits and an understanding of the importance of using
resources wisely, green economics address key economic issues such as trade, money, economic
development and work.


The first week will cover an introduction to green economics including the issues of energy and
money, the need to include wider perspectives and a consideration of the importance of land in the
economy. Week 2 will focus particularly on climate change, with consideration of how our economy
will need to adapt to a low-carbon future. The final week will focus on how we will meet our needs
in a green economy, with an exploration of work and livelihood and questions of ownership and
co-operative working. Throughout the course we will think about the local economy of Brno and map
its past, present and future.


The course will be taught in two blocks: a week before Christmas and two weeks over Easter 2010.
Set reading will be allocated for the period before and between the teaching blocks, and the
assessments will also be written at those times. Assessment for the course will consist of three
parts: a shorter essay (30%), a longer essay (50%) and a mark for attendance and participation
(20%).


Deadline for the first assignment will be 29 January.

Deadline for the second assignment will be 15 May.




Assignment 1: Energy in a Green Economy


Write an essay on the following theme:


“Why is energy especially important to a green economist? Explain what principles you would use to
direct energy policy within a green economy.”