AP3EE1-Economic Aspects of the Food Supply Chain

Module Provider: Agr & Food Econ
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 6
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Professor R Bennett
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: n.f.beard@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the application of economic principles and techniques of economic analysis to key issues concerning the food supply chain.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this course students should be able to:
Describe key food chain issues within an economic framework
Undertake selected economic analyses of key issues concerning the food chain

Additional outcomes:
Students will learn skills associated with researching information from various sources, and writing short papers.

Outline content:
1. Introduction to food chain economic issues
2. Policy and the food chain
3. Food safety issues in the food chain
4. GM foods and the food chain
5. Nutrition and health and the food chain
6. Zoonotic diseases and the food chain
7. Industry concentration and competition in the food chain
8. Institutional arrangements and the food chain.
9. Consumers and the food chain.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will comprise a series of seminars on key economic food chain issues involving some outside speakers. Students will be expected to undertake some limited research and reading prior to each session and to lead the discussion following each seminar presentation.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures
Tutorials/seminars	20
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours	20
Number of essays or assignments	1
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
Case study presentation
Relative percentage of coursework: 30%
Examinations
2-hour examination paper in the Summer term requiring the answers to two questions from three provided
Relative percentage of examination: 70%
Requirements for a pass: A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment Arrangements
By re-examination in August/September

Last updated: 23 November 2009