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Teaching As part of his teaching program, Dr. Bergstrom teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in natural resource and environmental economics including AAEC 3060 ( Principles of Resource Economics) and AAEC 8100 (Nonmarket Economic Valuation Techniques and Applications). The overall objective of these courses is to provide students with conceptual insight, problem-solving skills, and general knowledge needed to better analyze and solve natural resource use issues and problems from an economic perspective which recognizes the important linkages between economic, environmental, and ethical systems. This objective is met through lectures and classroom discussions, in-class and out-of-class practical exercises, a problem-solving term project and individual and small group discussions and instruction outside of the classroom. Dr. Bergstrom also coordinates and leads a one-hour graduate seminar course in contemporary environmental and resource economics issues and problems (AAEC 8010). The overall objective of this course is to provide students with insight and training in the application of economic theory and techniques to analyzing and solving real-world environmental and natural resource policy and management problems and issues. Dr. Bergstrom also coordinates undergraduate internship course in environmental economics and management. The internship course seeks to provide students with real-world practical work experience in the natural resource and environmental management area. Interns worked in both public and private positions including intern positions with the U.S. Congress, federal, state and local government agencies, private corporations, private conservation and environmental consulting firms, and non-profit conservation and environmental organizations. Dr. Bergstrom also organizes and teaches sessions in a continuing education shortcourse for natural resource management professionals entitled “Natural Resource Policy, Values and Economics”. Using lectures, group discussions, case studies and field studies, this shortcourse provides natural resource managers with economic and policy analysis tools needed to make better natural resource management decisions. Dr. Bergstrom is also currently serving as major advisor for 4 PhD students and academic advisor for about 20 undergraduate students. In all his instruction and advising activities, Dr. Bergstrom strongly encourage students to contribute towards and become engaged in an "active" rather than a "passive" learning environment and process. By experiencing this process, his goal is for students to be better prepared to "solve problems" and become more informed and effective managers and stewards of their own resources and the natural resources and environmental systems needed to support the economy and our quality of life. Dr. Bergstrom’s overall teaching and advising philosophy is that academic success requires the development of the total student in mind, body and spirit. Thus, he is committed to providing students with appropriate support and resources which may help them to overcome personal challenges and obstacles to getting the very most out of their entire college experience. Training and equipping students inside and outside of the classroom and helping them to succeed in life at and beyond college are the major goals of Dr. Bergstrom’s teaching and advising roles and activities. |