Land Economy
(Environment,
Law & Economics)
The Course
Land Economy is the study
of the use, development and management of land, other natural resources
and the built environment. Drawing upon theories and concepts from
economics, law and quantitative methods, the student analyses how
the private sector allocates resources, what implications this has
for society and why and how governments seek to alter private processes.
Though the analysis concentrates upon economically advanced countries,
the experience of selected low income countries is also covered.
The Land Economy course encourages students to develop an understanding
of complex legal, economic, political and administrative questions,
including issues surrounding environmental protection and climate
change. For example, how can legal rules assit in the protection
of the environment, how can the efficiency and profitability of
industries dealing with land, natural resources and buildings be
improved? How should private development objectives be balanced
against the need to conserve social assets or protect endangered
assets? Can the divisive effects of uneven economic development
(whether within the nation, region or city) be ameliorated? In poor
countries, what should governments do in the face of the explosive
growth of urban areas and rural depopulation? The development of
an analytical capacity to tackle complex questions such as these
provides a stimulating education both for students who take Land
Economy courses for all nine terms, and also those who mix some
Land Economy courses with those of another Tripos. Moreover, the
explicit emphasis in coursework upon the interactions of the private
and public sectors fits students of Land Economy, after graduation,
to enter either of these sectors.
Undergraduates may read
Land Economy for one, two or three years. The coursework progresses
from basic principles (particularly those drawn from economics and
law) in the first year, to more advanced analysis and vocational
applications in the second and third years. In their first year
(Part IA) all students take introductory courses in economics, public
law, accounting and data evaluation, as well as a topics course
on land, environment and structural change in the United Kingdom.
In the second year, those who have completed the Land Economy IA
Course must take an advanced economic theory paper, a law paper
and three others from a range of six on offer. Others beginning
Land Economy in the second year must take the accounting and data
evaluation course (unless specifically exempted), a law paper, an
advanced economic theory paper and two others.
In the third year students have the
maximum freedom to select those courses which most suit their interests,
skills and professional objectives. Four papers and a dissertation
have to be offered. The coursework is supplemented by field trips
within the United Kingdom. Recent visits have included an examination
of the role of a major shopping centre in a new town, the redevelopment
of the London Docklands, the economics and management of public
and private forests, and the effectiveness of the public inquiry
system.
Land Economy can form
an undergraduate preparation for the professions of lawyer, in the
Civil Service or in urban and regional planning and chartered surveying,
and is now recognised as a preeminent qualification for a career
in environmental protection, business or management. The Land
Economy Tripos gives partial exemption from the professional requirements
of the Bar Council and Law Society (for intending barristers and
solicitors) and is recongised by the Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors under a special partnership agreement, which allows graduates
to proceed directly to the Institution's assessment of professional
competence to become fully qualified professional chartered surveyors.
More information on the course is available on the Land Economy www site.
Admissions Requirements
Land Economy has been taught as an Honours subject at Cambridge
from the early 1960s. All Colleges offer places in the subject to
those who can show that on academic grounds they merit them and
Clare is no exception. It has a general policy of aiming for an
overall Arts-Science balance and considers applications for Land
Economy on an equal footing with those of all other Arts subjects.
A typical conditional offer would be AAA based upon A2 level (or
the equivalent in other educational systems).
Interviews
At Clare the normal interview procedure, which for most candidates
takes place during the second or third week in December, consists
of two interviews both of which are academic-based, though one will
also include a more general element. In addition, candidates
will be asked to send in three pieces of schoolwork. Candidates
studying Geography or Economics should send work in those subjects.
Candidates who have not taken Geography or Economics should try
to include at least some material in another Arts subject.
Fellows in Land Economy
Mr Martin Dixon, University
Senior Lecturer in Law, Acting Director of Studies for Clare
Mr David
Howarth, University Lecturer (currently on leave - is
presently MP for Cambridge City)
Mr
Darnton (Don) Holister, Emeritus Lecturer in Land Economy
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