Teaching – Former courses

Instructor(s): Prof. Kathrine von Graevenitz, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class focuses on a particular research topic in environmental economics: air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English.

Block seminar for MSc students. The language of instruction is English.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

Bachelor block seminar

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Philipp M. Richter

Understanding climate change as “the result of the greatest market failure the world has ever seen” (Sir Nicholas Stern, 2007), policy intervention is justified. Various climate policy instruments are available. This seminar will take an economic perspective on already implemented and currently debated climate policies and their design options. Each student will present and discuss an assigned topic in class and write a ten-page seminar paper. Emphasis will be on the methods and findings of relevant research papers and the critical assessments of current policy initiatives.

Instructor(s): Prof. Dr. Philipp M. Richter

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental economics at the graduate level. The first part of the course presents the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, a broad range of instruments for environmental policy will be analyzed from an economic point-of-view. The second part of the course deals with empirical methods for the valuation of environmental quality, which is required for cost-benefit-analysis and in the implementation of environmental policies.  The third part of the course is dedicated to the economic analysis of international environmental problems.

Master lecture

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Philipp M. Richter

This course will discuss the role of firms in international trade. How does firm heterogeneity matter to rationalize empirical regularities of international trade flows? How do firms organize their production globally, and why do some firms decide to offshore parts of their production process? Key topics of the course include understanding global value chains and the trade effects on welfare and the income distribution resulting from firm heterogeneity. In applications, the course focuses on the link between firm characteristics and firm behavior to labor market and environmental outcomes. The overall focus of this course lies on recent methods (both empirical and analytical), important findings, and open research questions.

Lecture for 2nd-year PhD students

Instructor(s): Kathrine von Graevenitz, Ph.D. / Dr. Andreas Gerster

The objective of this course is to introduce the main concepts and empirical tools used in environmental cost benefit analysis. The course will cover a range of current topics in environmental, energy, and climate policy. The basic structure of the course will involve presentation and discussion of papers that should be read in advance.

Research seminar für 3rd and 4th year PhD students

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

In this seminar, internal and external speakers discuss their recent research in environmental economics. Students working on an empirical or theoretical project that is related to environmental economics are welcome to present. Please contact the instructor to set up a date.

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

All year.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

Ph.D. lecture

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Philipp M. Richter

This course covers the recent academic literature on the link between trade and the environment. A particular focus lies on the shift to the micro-level both in the theoretical and empirical work. The course content will be adjusted according to the interests of participating Ph.D. students. 
The course is based on presentations and discussions of research papers that should be read in advance and are covered by assignments.

Instructor(s): Prof. Kathrine von Graevenitz, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class focuses on a particular research topic in environmental economics: air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D. / Dimitri Szerman, Ph.D.

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Seminar for BSc students

Instructors: Dr. Andreas Gerster / Dana Kassem, Ph.D.

Course language: English

There is stark inequality in energy consumption across the globe. The richest countries consume the most energy and contribute most to climate change. On the other hand, the world’s poorest, the majority of which lives is Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, lack basic access to energy. However, energy is an essential ingredient of the much-needed growth in developing countries. Reflecting these fundamental differences, policies differ starkly between developed and developing countries. To limit climate change, many governments in developed countries aim at reducing residential energy demand dramatically over the next decades through a mix of information instruments, price instruments and command-and-control measures. On the other hand, the challenge in developing countries is to increase energy demand of the poor, based on the idea that access to electricity is essential to unlock the potential of growth. Drawing on empirical research, this seminar analyzes a variety of economic, political and environmental aspects of policies that aim at influencing residential energy demand in developed and developing countries. For developed countries, we will investigate the environmental effectiveness and economic costs of policy instruments to foster energy efficiency such as energy labels, energy audits, carbon taxes, retrofit subsidies, or minimum standards. In the context of developing countries, we will explore the patterns of residential electricity demand with special focus on barriers to energy consumption, and how energy can be used for growth without harming the environment. Students will write a 10-page paper on a particular aspect and present their work in class.
 

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental economics at the graduate level. The first part of the course presents the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, a broad range of instruments for environmental policy will be analyzed from an economic point-of-view. The second part of the course deals with empirical methods for the valuation of environmental quality, which is required for cost-benefit-analysis and in the implementation of environmental policies.  The third part of the course is dedicated to the economic analysis of international environmental problems.

Research seminar für 3rd and 4th year PhD students

Instructor(s): Prof. Kathrine von Graevenitz, Ph.D.

In this seminar, internal and external speakers discuss their recent research in environmental economics. Students working on an empirical or theoretical project that is related to environmental economics are welcome to present. Please contact the instructor to set up a date.

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

All year.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class focuses on a particular research topic in environmental economics: air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English. The course will be held as a block seminar on 23 and 24 November. Further information is given on the syllabus (shortly online).

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D. / Dimitri Szerman, Ph.D. / Vincenzo Mollisi, Ph.D.

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

Since environmental policies were first implemented in industrialized countries more than four decades ago, the initial “command-and-control” approach has given way to more decentralized,  price-based policies to regulate pollution emissions. A Pigouvian tax is a well-established such policy, but governments around the world are increasingly favoring “emissions trading” schemes, i.e. establishing a market where polluters can buy and sell emission permits.

Drawing on theoretical, empirical and experimental research, this seminar analyzes a variety of economic, political and environmental aspects of this policy: Environmental effectiveness and economic costs, impacts on market structure and on international competitiveness, incentives for innovation in clean technologies, optimal design of permit allocation mechanisms and market stabilizing interventions, as well as behavioral aspects.

Students will write a 10-page paper on a particular aspect and present their work in class.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental economics at the graduate level. The first part of the course presents the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, a broad range of instruments for environmental policy will be analyzed from an economic point-of-view. The second part of the course deals with empirical methods for the valuation of environmental quality, which is required for cost-benefit-analysis and in the implementation of environmental policies.  The third part of the course is dedicated to the economic analysis of international environmental problems.

Block seminar for MSc students

Instructor(s): Harim Kim, Ph.D. / Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

The seminar covers recent research in environmental and energy economics. The course gives introduction to empirical studies of important topics in environmental and energy economics. The empirical papers we will study use a wide array of methods and approaches, ranging from theoretical modeling, to quasi-experimental research designs, to structural modelling and estimation. Topics include emissions reduction policy in the U.S. and EU, electricity market (market power and regulation) and natural resource market etc.

Lecture for 2nd-year PhD students

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

The objective of this course is to introduce the main concepts and empirical tools used in the economic analysis of environmental policies. The course will cover a broad range of current topics in environmental, energy, and climate policy. The basic structure of the course will involve presentation and discussion of papers that should be read in advance.

Research seminar für 3rd and 4th year PhD students

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster

In this seminar, internal and external speakers discuss their recent research in environmental economics. Students working on an empirical or theoretical project that is related to environmental economics are welcome to present. Please contact the instructor to set up a date.

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

All year.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D. / Dr. Andreas Gerster

Instructor(s): Dimitri Szerman, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class focuses on a particular research topic in environmental economics: air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English. The course will be held as a block seminar on 23 and 24 November. Further information is given on the syllabus (shortly online).

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, PhD, Steffen Habermalz, Ph.D.

Coordination: Dr. Alexander Donges

The language of instruction is German.

Course description

This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles of economic thinking, and to motivate the student to engage in further learning as well as applying the knowledge to other economic problems.

Contents

• Introduction: Some Principles of Economics; Tools of Economic Analysis
• Supply and Demand I: How Markets Work
• Supply and Demand II: Markets and Welfare
• Economics of the Public Sector: Externalities, Collective Goods and the Necessity of State Intervention; the Design of the Tax System
• Firm Behavior and the Organization of Industry
• Economics of Labor Markets
• Limits of Microeconomics

Contact person: Alexander Donges (Coordination), E-Mail: donges@uni-mannheim.de, Tel. +49 621 181-3428, L7, 3–5, room S10

Bachelor lecture and excercise

Instructors: Dana Kassem, Ph.D., Vincenzo Mollisi, Ph.D.

This course covers topics in energy and environmental economics with a special focus on developing countries. The overall goal of the course is to introduce advanced undergraduate students to the recent surge in research on environmental and energy economics as applied to developing countries.
 

Bachelor block seminar

Instructor: Dana Kassem, Ph.D.

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

All year.

Instructor(s): Dimitri Szerman, Ph.D., Vincenzo Mollisi, Ph.D.

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Instructor(s): Dr. Andreas Gerster, Vincenzo Mollisi, Ph.D.

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental economics at the graduate level. The first part of the course presents the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, a broad range of instruments for environmental policy will be analyzed from an economic point-of-view. The second part of the course deals with empirical methods for the valuation of environmental quality, which is required for cost-benefit-analysis and in the implementation of environmental policies.  The third part of the course is dedicated to the economic analysis of international environmental problems.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class focuses on a particular research topic in environmental economics: air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English. The course will be held as a block seminar on 23 and 24 November. Further information is given on the syllabus.

Syllabus

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

All year.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D., Dimitri Szerman

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

The syllabus will be available soon.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D., Dr. Andreas Gerster

Since environmental policies were first implemented in industrialized countries more than four decades ago, the initial “command-and-control” approach has given way to more decentralized,  price-based policies to regulate pollution emissions. A Pigouvian tax is a well-established such policy, but governments around the world are increasingly favoring “emissions trading” schemes, i.e. establishing a market where polluters can buy and sell emission permits.

Drawing on theoretical, empirical and experimental research, this seminar analyzes a variety of economic, political and environmental aspects of this policy: Environmental effectiveness and economic costs, impacts on market structure and on international competitiveness, incentives for innovation in clean technologies, optimal design of permit allocation mechanisms and market stabilizing interventions, as well as behavioral aspects.

Students will write a 10-page paper on a particular aspect and present their work in class.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D., Dr. Andreas Gerster

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental economics at the graduate level. The first part of the course presents the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, a broad range of instruments for environmental policy will be analyzed from an economic point-of-view. The second part of the course deals with empirical methods for the valuation of environmental quality, which is required for cost-benefit-analysis and in the implementation of environmental policies.  The third part of the course is dedicated to the economic analysis of international environmental problems.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class focuses on a particular research topic in environmental economics: air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English.The course will be held as a block seminar on Friday, 10 November and Saturday 11 November. Further information is given on the syllabus.

Syllabus

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

All year.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental economics at the graduate level. The first part of the course presents the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, a broad range of instruments for environmental policy will be analyzed from an economic point-of-view. The second part of the course deals with empirical methods for the valuation of environmental quality, which is required for cost-benefit-analysis and in the implementation of environmental policies.  The third part of the course is dedicated to the economic analysis of international environmental problems.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D., Dr. Wolfgang Habla

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

Since environmental policies were first implemented in industrialized countries more than four decades ago, the initial “command-and-control” approach has given way to more decentralized,  price-based policies to regulate pollution emissions. A Pigouvian tax is a well-established such policy, but governments around the world are increasingly favoring “emissions trading” schemes, i.e. establishing a market where polluters can buy and sell emission permits.

Drawing on theoretical, empirical and experimental research, this seminar analyzes a variety of economic, political and environmental aspects of this policy: Environmental effectiveness and economic costs, impacts on market structure and on international competitiveness, incentives for innovation in clean technologies, optimal design of permit allocation mechanisms and market stabilizing interventions, as well as behavioral aspects.

Students will write a 10-page paper on a particular aspect and present their work in class.

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class will focus on a particular research topic in environmental economics, such as climate policy or air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English.The course will be held as a block seminar on Friday, 20 November and Saturday 21 November in rooms t.b.a. A first organizational meeting will take place on Tuesday, 15 September at 12pm in room 410.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

Since environmental policies were first implemented in industrialized countries more than four decades ago, the initial “command-and-control” approach has given way to more decentralized,  price-based policies to regulate pollution emissions. A Pigouvian tax is a well-established such policy, but governments around the world are increasingly favoring “emissions trading” schemes, i.e. establishing a market where polluters can buy and sell emission permits.

Drawing on theoretical, empirical and experimental research, this seminar analyzes a variety of economic, political and environmental aspects of this policy: Environmental effectiveness and economic costs, impacts on market structure and on international competitiveness, incentives for innovation in clean technologies, optimal design of permit allocation mechanisms and market stabilizing interventions, as well as behavioral aspects.

Students will write a 10-page paper on a particular aspect and present their work in class.

Syllabus

Students read, present and discuss research papers on topics in environmental economics. 

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, PhD

Coordination: Dr. Alexander Donges

The language of instruction is German.

Course description

This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles of economic thinking, and to motivate the student to engage in further learning as well as applying the knowledge to other economic problems.

Contents

• Introduction: Some Principles of Economics; Tools of Economic Analysis
• Supply and Demand I: How Markets Work
• Supply and Demand II: Markets and Welfare
• Economics of the Public Sector: Externalities, Collective Goods and the Necessity of State Intervention; the Design of the Tax System
• Firm Behavior and the Organization of Industry
• Economics of Labor Markets
• Limits of Microeconomics

Contact person: Alexander Donges (Coordination), E-Mail: donges@uni-mannheim.de, Tel. +49 621 181-3428, L7, 3–5, room S10

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This seminar covers recent empirical research in Environmental Economics. The reading list for the class will focus on a particular research topic in environmental economics, such as climate policy or air pollution control. Each student will present a paper chosen from the list to the class and write a report critiquing another paper from the list. Emphasis will be on identifying the central questions addressed in the paper, evaluating the methodology and data, and making suggestions for improvements and extensions.

The seminar is targeted at graduate students in the Master´s program. To register you must have completed E601, E603 (or equivalent). The course language will be English.The course will be held as a block seminar on Friday, 20 November and Saturday 21 November in rooms t.b.a. A first organizational meeting will take place on Tuesday, 15 September at 12pm in room 410.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

This course introduces advanced undergraduate students in economics to the field of environmental and natural resource economics. It presents the theory of optimal management of renewable and non-renewable resources and introduces the students to different forms of environmental regulation, giving particular regard to market based instruments such as tradeable pollution rights. Different concepts for the valuation of non-market amenities such as environmental quality are presented, including hedonic pricing, travel cost methods and contingent valuation. Their use is exemplified with an introduction to environmental cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the course touches on issues associated with the regulation of transboundary pollution.

The language of instruction is English.

Syllabus

Instructor(s): Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

Since environmental policies were first implemented in industrialized countries more than four decades ago, the initial “command-and-control” approach has given way to more decentralized,  price-based policies to regulate pollution emissions. A Pigouvian tax is a well-established such policy, but governments around the world are increasingly favoring “emissions trading” schemes, i.e. establishing a market where polluters can buy and sell emission permits.

Drawing on theoretical, empirical and experimental research, this seminar analyzes a variety of economic, political and environmental aspects of this policy: Environmental effectiveness and economic costs, impacts on market structure and on international competitiveness, incentives for innovation in clean technologies, optimal design of permit allocation mechanisms and market stabilizing interventions, as well as behavioral aspects.

Students will write a 10-page paper on a particular aspect and present their work in class.

Syllabus