EC301 Agriculture and Resource Policy
DESCRIPTION
This unit introduces students to the theoretical framework to analyse agricultural and resource policies. The potential economic impacts of different policy instruments that might be used to deal with current issues facing agricultural and resource markets will be examined. While the agricultural and resource sector depends on good economic decision making to survive and thrive, governments depend on economic information to make good policy decisions on behalf of the society. In this context, an understanding of the application of economics to policy interventions in the rural and resource sector is developed while exploring the practical aspects of policy implementation. A knowledge of the institutional structures, both in Australia and overseas, of agricultural and resource policy is undertaken highlighting the roles of policy makers, public agencies and interest groups. This unit involves developing a framework and systematic approach to evaluating agricultural and resource policy and applying the framework to assessing agricultural and resources policies in Australia and overseas, primarily from the economic perspective, with insights from political science and sociology.
RELEVANT COURSES
*Core unit
CREDIT POINTS
10
DELIVERY MODE
On campus
PREREQUISITE OR CO-REQUISITE
EC101 Economics or EC102 Agricultural Economics
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
LO1 Analyse the economic, social and political influences on the development of agricultural and resource policies
LO2 Evaluate policy theory and practice in the agricultural and resource sector
LO3 Compare and contrast agricultural and resource policy framework among different countries
LO4 Analyse contemporary issues in agricultural and resource policy development and implementation.
LO5 Evaluate agricultural and resource policy in the context of globalisation
CONTENT
Current issues in agriculture and resource policy. Rationale for government intervention
Methodological concepts – review of the concepts of elasticity, welfare economics
Theories of regulation
Understanding policy impacts
Policy analysis framework
Policy problems and contemporary analysis
Australian rural sector institutions
Competing economies- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union
India's rural, regional and environmental policies
US Farm policy
Global agricultural issues – Multilateral Trade Negotiations
Role of Multinational Corporation in global agriculture
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. Group Case Study Presentation - 15%
2. Written Assessment - 35%
3. Exam - 50%
PRESCRIBED READINGS
Nil
Check with the lecturer each semester before purchasing any textbooks