AEP-31306 Rural Economic Analysis

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ECH-21806 Microeconomics; AEP-20806 Institutional Economics and Economic Organisation Theory and mathematics at the level of MAT-12806 Mathematics M (Mathematics for Social Sciences).

Continuation courses:

AEP-30306 The Economics of European Integration: Agricultural, Rural and Regional Policy Analysis; EP-30806 Economic Models; DEC-30306 Central Themes in Development Economics; ENP-32306 Advanced Environmental Economics and Policy; ENR-30306 Theories and Models in Environmental Economics.

Contents:

This course aims to provide you with the competences to analyze the economy of rural areas in both developed and developing countries. During the process of economic development, the importance of agriculture tends to diminish in rural areas while the provision of public goods such as wildlife and landscape usually gains significance. Moreover a shift towards economic activities in non-agricultural sectors takes place. Imperfections in output, variable input and factor markets contribute to relatively low incomes and poverty in rural areas. Clustering of economic activity, co-operation between firms and a wide range of economic, rural development and other policies can reduce these market imperfections. However, besides market failures there also may exist important government failures. The solutions proposed for dealing with these rural problems differ greatly between developed (e.g. EU) and developing countries. After this course you will be able to analyze rural problems and assess the policies and solutions for dealing with these problems and benefiting from new opportunities in both developed and developing countries.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain economic theories relating to rural problems;
- apply rural economic theories to specific problems;
- analyse imperfections in rural output, variable input and factor markets;
- distinguish between alternative solutions for market and government failures;
- assess EU and World Bank policies and market solutions for rural problems;
- devise alternative economic policies and solutions for rural problems.

Activities:

- attending lectures and studying the material;
- doing exercises in practical sessions.

Examination:

Four weekly tests (100%). The average of the four tests needs to be 5.5 to pass the course.
Successful partial interim examinations remain valid for a period of three years.

Literature:

Syllabus Rural Economic Analysis plus material handed out at the lectures.
The course is supported by means of a Blackboard site.