Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit examines the role of agriculture in economic development, mainly in developing countries but with relevance to developed countries. Students learn how to apply economic theory and analytical tools to address agricultural development challenges faced by governments, and agents operating in the food and non-food sectors. Thematic areas covered include the economics of farm households, market failure and role of government in markets, food and nutrition security, agricultural productivity growth, technology adoption and impact evaluation, rural land reforms, climate change, and water crisis, agriculture and natural resource conservation, and policy instruments in international trade. A variety of topical questions are addressed, potentially including: what caused the global food crisis? How can we evaluate the appropriateness of government policies, such as fertilizer subsidies? What is the impact of water scarcity on global food security in an era of climate change? Why is land reform a thorny issue in developing countries? Are there opportunities to increase the efficiency of resource-poor producers? What are the effects of international trade and globalization on poor economies? What strategies and policies are needed to promote agricultural development? The unit is issue and problem solving oriented; it requires critical thinking and active participation. Policy implications of the topics are explored are discussed throughout the unit. Students debate and discuss contemporary issues in development, write policy briefs, and estimate empirical models relevant for formulating evidence-based policies.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 1 Online Online timetabled - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) discuss, explain and review evolving themes and theories in agricultural development; (2) understand and appreciate the role of economic theory and policy in addressing challenges in agricultural development; (3) develop aboard overview of challenges in agricultural development both in the farm and nonfarm sector; (4) articulate the important characteristics of agriculture and its role in economic development; and (5) develop the capacity to apply analytical tools in economics to address policy challenges in agricultural development.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) examination; (2) policy briefs; and (3) assignment. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Amin Mugera
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in
- Contact hours
- lectures: 4 hours per fortnight
tutorials: 2 hours per fortnight for 10 weeks
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.