Economics of Food Markets

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Not available

None

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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.

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.

• A 2-hour written examination; end of semester, 60%;
• a mid-semester test; in week 6, 20%;
• an assignment totalling not more than 2000 words, due in week 9, 20%.

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

• 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.