UNIVERSITY OF NATIONAL AND WORLD ECONOMY
COURSE TITLE: ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SEMESTER: WINTER
TEACHER’S NAME: ALBENA MITEVA
OFFICE: ECONOMY OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
E-MAIL: [email protected]
АNNOTATION:
The academic course “Еcology and Sustainable development” was delivered in the University
during the period 1993-1998 under the title "Ecology and Environmental Economics" as an university
elective course, and then in 2000 under the name of "Sustainable Development" as an elective
subject.
The curriculum is aligned with the preparation and acquired knowledge of students in their
second year of study, III semester and there is no need to study in advance other disciplines.
The course "Ecology and Sustainable Development" provides the students with systematic
scientific knowledge and specific practical and applied skills necessary for formation of their
environmental attitudes and contemporary economic behavior.
The material is supported by the results from leading research institutes and international
organizations working on issues of sustainable development, ecological use of natural resources,
indicators for measuring environmental sustainability and building of a sustainable society.
Interdisciplinary knowledge broadens the horizons of the students in understanding the complex
relationships between economy, environment and society, which contributes to their enhanced
preparation as specialists. Mastering the basic methodology will allow students to supplement their
environmental knowledge in the study of other specialized courses in the undergraduate and
master's degrees. The program is aligned with the strategy "Education in the Interest of Sustainable
Development" of the UN Economic Commission for Europe and its gradual introduction during 2005 2015.
LANGUAGE OF TEACHING: ENGLISH
COURSE CONTENT:
The course provides knowledge of an interdisciplinary approach for the study of the problems
of environmentally sustainable socio-economic development. Environment is seen as a
methodological approach, interpreted by economic means. On this basis, are disclosed the links in
the "economy-environment" system and the principles for sustainable use of natural resources. After
that is provided knowledge on the approaches, mechanisms and tools for building a sustainable
UNIVERSITY OF NATIONAL AND WORLD ECONOMY
economy and society. Is revealed the role of international organizations and institutions, the business
community and NGOs to move towards a sustainable society.
CONTENT OF CURRICULUM
А. LECTURES:
№
TOPIC
1
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION:
2
INTERRELATIONS BETWEEN THE THREE APECTS OF SD
3
ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO STABILITY
4
INTERACTION AND ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM ECONOMY - ENVIRONMENT
5
INDICATORS TO MEASURE SUSTAINABILITY
6
DEFINITION, CLASSIFICATION AND PRINCIPLES
CONSUMPTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
7
SUSTAINABLE USE OF ENERGY
8
SUSTAINABLE USE OF WATER RESOURCES
9
ACHIEVEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY IN AGRICULTURAL, FOREST, FISH
RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY
10
ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS FOR
OF
SUSTAINABLE
UNIVERSITY OF NATIONAL AND WORLD ECONOMY
ACHIEVEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
11
INSTITUTIONAL
AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
LEGAL
12
ECONOMIC APPROACH AND INSTRUMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
13
VOLUNTARY MECHANISMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
14
CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITY
15
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY
SOCIAL
FRAMEWORK
AND
OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
B. SEMINARS:
№
TOPIC
1
Discussion on the problems of the global environmental situation
2
Discussion on the problems of the environmental situation in Bulgaria
3
Analysis of the system economy-environment – case studies
4
Principles and criteria for natural resources sustainable use - students’
presentations
5
Discussions and presentations on topics 7, 8 and 9
6
Discussion on the role of international organizations for achievement of
sustainable development
UNIVERSITY OF NATIONAL AND WORLD ECONOMY
7
Discussions and presentation on EU environmental basis implementation
8
Case study on the implementation of the main eco-policy principles in
Bulgarian legislation
9
Test
10
Presentation on international in local active schemes on social and
ecological corporate responsibility
11
Elaboration of course work – 10-12 pages
METHOD/TEACHING STRATEGY
The teaching is done through combining lectures, seminars, delivering of presentations, case studies
and elaboration of individual course works.
Each student is assigned an individual course work, which is presented and discussed in front
of his/her colleagues. The course work is assessed individually and plays an important role in
forming the final score. During the term each student together with a group of his/her
colleagues prepares and delivers a presentation on the discussed on the seminars topics.
The needed teaching resources are as follows: multi-media, PC.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course will provide basic knowledge to students on eco-economic approach for analyzing the
interrelations in the expanded circular model, on the principles and methods for assessment of the
sustainable use of natural resources, as well as on the indicators for achievement of sustainable
development and on the mechanisms and instruments for building of sustainable economy and
society.
The course will provide knowledge for analyzing and assessing the different parts of an eco-policy,
for forming an own point of view when taking socio-economic decisions, for practical
implementation of the principles and methods of sustainability assessment in concrete case-studies.
ASSESSMENT METHODS: EXAM – 70%, COURSE WORK – 10%, PRESENTATION – 10%,
PARTICIPATION IN THE SEMINAR DISCUSSIONS – 10%.
UNIVERSITY OF NATIONAL AND WORLD ECONOMY
Very good Good (4)
(5)
Excellent(6)
A
B
80%
75%
C
70%
Fair (3
D
60%
Credits are awarded as provided for in the in the plan
Poor(2)
E
FX
F
50%
No credits are awarded
REFERENCES:
А. MANDATORY
1. Pearce D, Essays on Ecological Economics and Sustainable Development, University
College London,2000,384 pp
2. Folmar H.,et.al. Principles of Environmental and Resource Economics, A Guide for Students
3. Status of the World Series, World Watch Institute
4. Brown L, Plan B, Earth Policy Institute
5. Eco-economy: Building and Economy for the Earth, Earth Policy Institute
6. Outgrowing the Earth, Earth Policy Institute
B. RECOMMENDED
1 .T.Tietenberg Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Harper Collins Pub.
a. Inc.1999
2.T.Panayotou, The Economics of Sustainable Development, The Green Markets,
b. San Francisko,1993
3.WB,Environment Matters, Annual Review at The World Bank,2002,3,4
4.UNEP, Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, New LifeCycle Initiative,Nayrobi, 2002 www.uneptie.org/pc/sustain/procurement/green-proc.htm