Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Policy

44M0567

Master

English

5.0

only winter term

1 semester

Students know the historical context and development of agricultural, environmental as well as nutrition policies in industrial and developing countries. They understand the central economic, demographic and institutional determinants of these policies. In particular, they are able to discuss the role of political institutions, interest groups and the voters as determinants of policy outcomes are able to analyze the impact of changed constitutional rules as well as informal policy network structures on policy outcomes. Students can analyze and evaluate the impact of agricultural, environmental and nutrition policies on the one hand on the economic development and the environment and on the other hand with respect to a sustainable development of regions and countries.

Political economy theory on interrelations of different agricultural (rural development policy, regional policy, structural policy), environmental, climate and nutrition policy instruments; political decision making processes at international, supranational and national level; government performance and sustainable development; theoretical foundation of complex systems, graph and network theory, actor networks, technical progress and the role of information and innovation.

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Portfolio exam or
• oral exam

The standard examination form is a portfolio of a presentation/report and an oral examination (max. 50 points + max. 50 points); deviations from this will be announced in the first four weeks after the start of lectures.

presentation/report: ca. 20–30-minute presentation with 5–10 page written analysis

Identification of relevant research questions in the field of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Policy.

Problem formulation and formulation of hypotheses regarding sustainabilty and agriculture, environment and nutrition policy; structuring a scientific investigation.

Students understand linkages between policies affecting climate mitigation, energy markets, and land use. They are able to discuss trade-offs and synergies between different policies, and understand the interconnections between e.g. food, energy and water systems. They further understand central players and political economy logics of decision-making processes. They acquire knowledge in understanding climate, energy and agricultural policies, policy processes and related outcomes.

Students are abel to discover and formulate a research problem; they identify models and data to describe and handle the problem; they plan and structure a research project; they are able to collect relevant literature and data.

Students make oral presentations on scientific topics and oppose/discuss/comment on other scientific work.

Students evaluate and deliberate deduced recommandations in the field of agriculture, environment and nutrition policy.

• Zubek, Nana

• Straka, Dorothee
• Speck, Melanie