Economics of Sustainability
UndergraduateMUR-SUS3052025
Approach the topic of sustainability from an economic standpoint. Investigate some of the economic tools and techniques decision-makers draw on to address sustainability problems. Address where climate change fits into this discussion.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,125
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Economics of Sustainability
About this subject
On successful completion of the subject you will be able to:
- Critically reflect on mainstream and alternative economic approaches in relation to sustainability.
- Apply economic terminology and concepts to the analysis of sustainability issues.
- Analyse contemporary debates about sustainability and economic development.
- Propose new ideas based on theories, evidence, and policy debates to address sustainability issues.
- The nature of sustainability
- Introduction to economic thought
- Economic tools for decision makers
- Economics and climate change
- Economic growth and heretical alternatives
- Economics for sustainability: an uneasy marriage?
How can economics help solve the sustainability challenges of the 21st century? Which economic approaches can protect the natural environment and maximise human welfare now and in the future? In this unit, we will combine a critical analysis of the conceptual framework and tools of mainstream economics with an exploration of alternative economic approaches that emphasise the embeddedness of economic activity within ecosystems and the limits these systems impose on economic activity. By looking to approaches outside of mainstream economics such as ecological economics, we will challenge the dominance of economic decision-making that relies on efficiency-driven, market-based frameworks and broaden our range of solutions for tackling sustainability problems. Key topics include introduction to economic thought, economic tools for decision-makers, economics for climate change, economic growth and heretical alternatives, and Indigenous and ethno-economics.
Note: If you study this subject in Winter, the subject will be a shorter duration (5 weeks) and will require at least 20 hours of study per week.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
All assessment work goes beyond mere comprehension and reproduction of unit content. Students are required to critically engage with the unit content, which challenges assumptions and ways of thinking. Class activities and discussions serve the purpose of exploring the contested terrain of economics and sustainability. The written assignment asks students to develop a robust theoretical grounding and to translate and apply economic theory to current affairs and contemporary sustainability concerns.
- Invigilated Exam (30%)
- Research project (30%)
- Oral critique (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
Students must have completed 18 credit points (6 OUA subjects) at Level 1 before enrolling in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Arts (Sustainable Development)
UndergraduateMUR-ASD-DEG
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