ACE2006 : Agricultural Economics and Policy
- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Francisco Areal
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To understand the economics of agricultural and the rural economy sectors in the UK context, and of market failure. Examining frameworks within which agricultural economics and policy in the UK and EU can be analysed. Focus will be on developing and understanding key supply and demand analytical frameworks typically used in neoclassical economic theory.
Outline Of Syllabus
-Introducing and explaining "the farm problem"
-Explaining the difference between technical and economic efficiency (using production function and cost curve approaches)
-deriving a demand curve from production functions and cost curves
-an introduction to consumer theory - indifference curves and budget constraints
-the economic benefits of free trade, and distinguishing between custom unions and free trade areas
-the evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy, and a consideration of a UK Domestic Agricultural Policy
-the economics of farm land values, and the use of discounting
-the theory of technological change and diffusion
-market failure and environmental economics:
the economics of pollution
the form and function of marginal abatement cost curves (MACC)
What are "public goods"
-revision lecture: review of module and exam structure
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 0:30 | 12:00 | Student revision for examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Completion of examination |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Preparation of trial exam answers |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 33:00 | 33:00 | research and reading beyond the taught material |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Lecture follow up |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will have full access to all reading materials in advance of classes. Class discussion, Q/A sessions etc. encouraged during class. Lecture material is comprehensive and extensive, and requires substantial student study outside the classroom. Students will not be given prior warning of examination questions. Exam questions set specifically to test learning objectives, and to encourage students to practice their skills and extend their knowledge and understanding to be able to achieve these outcomes.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 100 | Unseen questions |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Submission of trial examination answer |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Understanding is assessed through a final assessment under controlled University examination conditions. The exam questions are unseen - however students are encouraged to write a trial answer for appraisal and feedback prior to the final examination, to allow development of ideas and understandings and rehearsal of knowledge, argument and reasoning during the course, but prior to examination - thereby encouraging co-operative effort during the course, but testing individual grasp and expression of their own understandings. A (practised) written examination is both an effective and efficient method of testing the learning outcomes and the development of the associated skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ACE2006's Timetable