The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

AGRIBUS 7054 - Global Food & Agricultural Policy Analysis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

In this course, we will examine policies affecting food and agriculture using an economic framework and an international perspective. Students develop a solid understanding of the agricultural and food policy environment, the policy formulation process, and the role, rationale and economic consequences of government intervention in food and agricultural markets. They will develop the skills and working knowledge necessary to critically assess current and potential changes to domestic and global agricultural and food policy, trade policy, environmental and natural resource policy, and market regulations. They will use basic economic theoretical concepts and analytical tools to deal with the policy issues discussed. For example, students will gain experience conducting economic welfare analyses using various policy instruments and programs. Each topic is motivated by a current or emerging issue facing the food and agricultural sectors of the economy.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AGRIBUS 7054
    Course Global Food & Agricultural Policy Analysis
    Coordinating Unit Centre for Global Food & Resources
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Assignments, group work, quizzes, engagement
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Alexandra Peralta

    Lecturer in Charge: Dr. Alexandra Peralta
    Email: alexandra.peralta@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: North TCE Campus Level 6 Nexus10 Tower
    Office Hours: TBA
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    This course will demonstrate how economists tackle a range of policy-related issues that are relevant to food and agricultural businesses.  Economics is often divided into two streams: microeconomics and macroeconomics.  Microeconomics deals with how individuals and firms choose to allocate scarce resources, how markets work and how government intervention may affect market processes and firms in the market.  Macroeconomics deals with the “big” picture; for example, national output and employment.  We will deal with policy issues from both fields, but we will focus mostly on microeconomic issues. 

    When it comes to policy issues, there are often no “right” answers, but economic principles and concepts are useful for analysing and comparing the social impacts of different policy scenarios.  Basic theoretical tools are introduced as required to deal with the issues being discussed.  In the process, students are exposed to a large number of economic concepts and analytical tools, and to the “language” of economists.  After learning the “basics”, these new skills are utilized to examine the potential economic impacts of different policy instruments that might be used to deal with current issues facing agricultural and food markets.  Upon completion of this course, students will be able to professionally communicate with economists in a variety of situations, for example when they are working with government officials, as consultants, or simply when they are attempting to assert their opinion in related forums.

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1. Demonstrate practical applications of policy analysis related to agriculture and food value chain issues
    2. Discuss the economic and political feasibility of policy changes and instruments
    3. Apply critical thinking to policies and policy reforms
    4. Identify and analyse how public policy and firm and firm decisions affect agribusiness, market, and society
    5. Recognize policy-related problems and anticipate opportunities available in the market
    6. Write concise summaries of policies affecting the agricultural and food sectors, and argue orally their implications
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1,2,3,4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 1,2,3,4,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 2,3,4,5,6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 3,4,5,6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 1,2,3,4,5,6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    		 NA

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    		 6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 1,2,3,4,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Assigned readings and related materials, that will be posted on the course MyUni website, and lecture notes. Lecture notes are not substitute for the assigned readings, they constitute a guide for the lectures and are not comprehensive.

    We will use different textbooks available for check out at The University of Adelaide Library and for online reading via The University of Adelaide Library website http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/

    Lectures will be recorded but they are not substitute for class attendance. Rather, a source for reviewing course materials when need it.
    Recommended Resources
    Textbooks:

    Available for check out at the University of Adelaide library and for on-line reading at the University of Adelaide Library website http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library:

    Nestle, M. (2007). Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition, and Health, Revised and Expanded Edition (Revised and Expanded Edition edition). Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Norton, G. W., Alwang, J., & Masters, W. A. (2014). Economics of Agricultural Development: World Food Systems and Resource Use (3 edition). New York: Routledge.

    Pinstrup-Andersen, P., & II, D. D. W. (2011). Food Policy for Developing Countries: The Role of Government in Global, National, and Local Food Systems. Cornell University Press.

    Available for check out at the University of Adelaide Library http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library:

    Mankiw, N. (2004). Principles of Economics. Cengage Learning.

    Penson et al. (2014). Introduction to Agricultural Economics. Pearson/Prentice Hall.

    Ray, D. (1998). Development Economics. Princeton University Press.

    Available on-line to download at the University of Adelaide Library website http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library:

    Microeconomics - A Fresh Start. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.springer.com/economics/microeconomics/book/978-3-642-37433-3

    For the required and recommended readings for each lecture, please check the course reading list.

    Journal articles and peer reviewed journals.

    Some recommended peer review journals are Food Policy, World Development, Global Food Security, Agricultural Economics, Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Some websites with working papers and policy briefs include http://repec.org/, http://ideas.repec.org/, http://econpapers.repec.org/, International Food Research Policy Institute IFPRI www.ifpri.org, World Bank www.worldbank.org  and https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/2160. Resources are not limited to these ones, newspaper articles and research centre working papers are additional excellent sources of information. I will provide other resources in MyUni and in the course reading list.
    Online Learning
    MyUni will be used to post all class materials, articles, quizzes, and announcements.

    All communication for this course will take place via email and MyUni. You are expected to be checking your University of Adelaide email (@adelaide.edu.au) frequently to check for course updates.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The class will consist of structured lectures and in-class activities that will expose students to all of the basic economic concepts with examples and case studies of real situations in which the knowledge acquired can be applied. Class discussion and online discussion will be encouraged during and outside course contact hours. In some cases, class time will be allocated to solve and practice problems and exercises. Students are expected to come prepared to class, which means that they must read the required readings for each lecture before the lectures. This is essential for understanding the material, clarify questions, and participate in class activities.
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Topics to be covered in this course (subject to change) include:

    1. Current issues in food and agricultural policy. What is agricultural/food policy?
    2. Market failure. Rational for government intervention.
    3. Agricultural and food policy instruments. Taxes and subsidies. Price controls.
    4. Domestic market policies. Marketing systems, food and agricultural markets. Food and agricultural production, supply policies.
    5. The Green revolution.
    6. International trade policy instruments. Developed and developing countries price policies and its effects in the food system.
    7. Environmental policy instruments. Soil and water conservation. Common pool resources.
    8. Human health and nutrition policies. Examples of policies aim to improve nutrition (vitamin supplements, school programs). Food safety.
    9. Obesity and the double burden of under and over nutrition. Examples of issues and policies.
    10. Food aid. Cash transfers.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcomes
    Assignments Individual 20% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Group Assignment Group 30% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Final Exam Individual 50% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Total 100%
    Assessment Detail
    (i) Assignments (individual)
    Students will submit assignments during the semester. These assignments will be based on the course material and additional short readings. You can discuss your assignment with your classmates but you must turn it individually. Notes, class exercises, written questions and comments from class activities will be collected to mark your individual assignments. Guidelines and marking schemes will be provided depending on the activity.

    (ii) Group Assignment (group)
    Students will submit a collaborative assignment. The lecturer will post the topic and guidelines in MyUni. A template will be provided and you are expected to use it and strictly follow the provided instructions.

    (iii) Final Exam.
    The final exam is comprehensive. All the material covered in the class will be evaluated, including class activities, assignment and invited lectures.


    Examination
    All topics will form part of the assessment and the style will consist of, but not be limited to quizzes, open-book exams, exams, take-home papers, practical exams, etc. The topics to be assessed will include everything at the moment of the task unless discussed otherwise with the students.
    Submission
    Late submission late penalties apply according to University Policy
    If you are unable to submit your assignment due to physical/meltal health or compasionate reasons communicate those to the lecturer before the assignment deadline. Do not wait until last minute.
    Please use the late submission form.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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