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Ecological Economics: Foundations and Growth Critics
Ökologische Ökonomik: Grundlagen und Wachstumskritik
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:51
Abstract
Students are introduced to the fundamentals, key questions, and analytical approaches of ecological economics. The focus is on the issue of economic growth: What positions does ecological economics take on this topic, and which theories and concepts does it use to justify them—both in general and within specific economic areas (e.g., resource use, consumption, labor market, business)?
Objective
By the end of the course, students will be able to: • explain the foundations and central questions of Ecological Economics (e.g. pre-analytic vision, scope, origins, interdisciplinary contributions) • understand and substantiate the growth-critical position of Ecological Economics • analyze and assess economic subfields such as labor markets, consumption, and money from an ecological economics perspective • critically evaluate different positions on economic growth • identify key drivers of growth and describe as well as assess approaches to reducing growth imperatives
Content
- What is ecological economics, and what are its topics? - Subject matter and fundamentals of ecological economics; - Resource consumption, its development and measurement; - Measurement of economic performance and welfare; - Economic growth, criticism of growth and post-growth society; - Growth constraints in areas such as consumption, money, business, the labor market, and the social system; - Starting points for growth independence and a post-growth society.
Resources
Lecture Notes
No Script. Slides and texts will be provided beforehand.
Literature
Spash, C. L., Ed. (2017). The Routledge Handbook of Ecological Economics: Nature and Society. Abingdon, Routledge. Seidl, I. /Zahrnt A. (2010). Postwachstumsgesellschaft. Konzepte für die Zukunft, Marburg, Metropolis Seidl, I. /Zahrnt A. (2019). Tätigsein in der Postwachstumsgesellschaft, Marburg, Metropolis Selected scientific articles will be made available one week before each lecture.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 60
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Ökologische Ökonomik: Grundlagen und Wachtumskritik |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Mensch-Umwelt Systeme (Die folgenden Lehrveranstaltungen werden als Vorbereitung für die Systemvertiefung Mensch-Umwelt Systeme besonders empfohlen: 401-0625-01L Applied Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design 401-0649-00L Applied Statistical Regression Diese sollten bereits im zweiten Studienjahr erfolgreich abgeschlossen werden.)
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