The first part of the course is given to examining the different analytical frameworks by which agricultural and natural resource policy issues may be assessed. These will include issues relating to common property and property rights, resource rent and rent seeking behaviour, the new institutional economics, public choice issues and performance assessment. The policy issues to be covered will include the allocation of water, greenhouse admissions, rural restructuring, fisheries policy, land use and environment, and international trade.

On the completion of the course students will be expected to have an understanding of the major considerations for a range of important agricultural and natural resource policy issues, and to be capable of using a number of different economic analytical frameworks to provide critical and constructive input to important agricultural and natural resource policy issues.

There will be two one-hour lectures per week and a one-hour tutorial.

Tutorial assignments 15 %
Essay 35 %
Final examination 50 %

3 contact hours per week

There is no single text and readings are drawn from a number of texts, professional papers and other sources. A package of required readings can be purchased during the first week of lectures. Additional material will be held in the library reserve.