Course teacher(s)
Giulia MELONI (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
Since the start of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Union (EU) has devoted a large share of its budget to supporting European agriculture. Initially, the EU’s CAP aimed to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food, but its priorities have evolved over time. Warming temperatures, weather instability and biodiversity loss are just a few among the many challenges facing the agri-food sector.
Finding diverse and innovative solutions is therefore a key EU policy priority, in order to improve the capacity of agricultural and food systems to respond to these challenges in Europe and globally.
This is reflected in the current CAP 2023–27, the European Green Deal, the Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food, and its proposal for the post-2027 CAP and the 2028–34 EU budget. This year will be critical for an agriculture and food sector already challenged by price volatility, climate change, geopolitical uncertainty and renewed trade tensions, while calls for simplification of regulation and support to farmers are growing stronger.
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
This course shall provide students with a comprehensive understanding of EU and global food systems, the new challenges facing the agri-food sector, and the determinants and consequences of public intervention in European agricultural and food markets. It aims to provide the theoretical and policy background required to understand and critically reflect on these issues, including the interactions between agricultural, environmental and trade policies.
It is also intended to give a sense of the extensive and long-standing government intervention in and regulation of agricultural and food markets. The course should appeal particularly to those with an interest in European economics, public policy analysis or international trade issues.
Teaching methods and learning activities
This course consists of 12 lectures. Teaching combines lectures, interactive discussions, and group presentations, giving students the opportunity to apply concepts in practice. Active participation is strongly encouraged. Guest lecturers from industry, civil society, international and EU-level institutions, and academia bring diverse perspectives, and the program may also include a study visit to the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
All course materials (lecture slides, supplementary readings, and announcements) will be posted on the course platform (Université Virtuelle, UV).
Course notes
- Université virtuelle
Contribution to the teaching profile
LO 1.1 Apply fundamental concepts, tools and models in economics and management to formulate a well-defined problem and propose a multidisciplinary solution relevant to the economic context
LO 1.2 Integrate sustainable development in analyses
LO 2.1 Adopt a scientific approach to data collection, research and analysis and communicate results with clear, structured and sophisticated arguments
LO 2.2 Display critical thinking, logical and abstract reasoning and develop an independent approach to learning
LO 3.1 Solve standard mathematical and statistical problems by analysing data with standard office and statistical software
LO 3.2 Write simple code and conceptualize the key coding steps needed to solve a complex problem
LO 3.3 Assess the quality of a statistical or quantitative analysis of an economic problem
LO 4.1 Work and communicate effectively as part of a team in an international and multicultural environment
LO 4.2 Recognize ethical dilemmas and contribute to solving them
Other information
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- written examination
- Oral presentation
- Group work
written examination
Oral presentation
Group work
The final grade in this course will be based on group presentations and class participation (50%) and a final closed-book written exam (50%).
Language(s) of evaluation
- english