Economics of Food Markets

Subject ECON30007 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2015.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of at least 170 hours.
Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1
12.50
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
Non Allowed Subjects:

None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

d.maclaren@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Topics include the reasons for, and analysis of, government intervention in the agri-food sector; the policy objectives and instruments of government intervention in selected countries; international trade, agricultural protectionism and the World Trade Organization; food safety; and world food security.
Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • explain the reasons for government intervention in the agri-food sectors of several countries, including Australia, and identify the policy objectives being pursued;
  • critically analyse the economic effects, including the trade and welfare effects, of the policy instruments employed;
  • synthesise the current policy issues in the agri-food sectors of the world economy including the newer issues such as trade and the volatility of food prices, and trade and food safety.
  • critically analyse the issue of world food security;
  • explain the position of agriculture in the WTO; and critically appraise the current proposals under negotiation in the WTO.
Assessment:
  • A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination (60%)
  • A mid-semester test in Week 6 (20%)
  • An assignment totalling not more than 2000 words due in Week 9 (20%)
Prescribed Texts:

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • High level of development: written communication; problem solving; application of theory to practice; critical thinking.

  • Moderate level of development: collaborative learning; team work; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

  • Some level of development: oral communication.
Related Course(s): U21 Diploma in Global Issues

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