AERD30210
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=AERD30210&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=CPS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Food and Agricultural Policy (AERD30210)
Subject: : Agribus Extension & Rural Dev
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 3 (Degree)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr David Stead
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module surveys the controversial policy framework under which the EU's farming sector operates. Key changes made to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) over time are identified, and some of the major effects of these reforms are assessed using economic analysis. Some potential future policy reforms are also discussed. A major theme is the attempt to improve farming sustainability via the CAP. Students will further develop their transferable skills in team working, researching, critical analysis and economic analysis. (Please note that current Irish agri-environmental policies are not discussed in great detail, since these are covered in other modules, including AERD 30030.)
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Explain how and why Europe's CAP has changed over time, from its design in the 1950s to the present day - in particular, the CAP reforms in 1992, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2021 and currently; (ii) Determine the effects of this ongoing policy reform on the operation of the agri-food sector in Ireland and the EU; (iii) Discuss selected potential future policy reforms; (iv) Further develop transferable skills in team working, researching, critical analysis and economic analysis.\
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 53 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 48 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 125 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
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Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:\
First year module in economics/agricultural economics.
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Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment(Including Essay): "Hot topics" policy advice, individual or team-based | Week 14 | Graded | No | 29 | No |
| Assignment(Including Essay): PowerPoint slides preparation, individual or team-based | Week 9 | Graded | No | 29 | No |
| Exam (In-person): 1 hour MCQ exam | End of trimester Duration: 1 hr(s) | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | No |
| Exam (Online): Online anti-plagiarism quiz (open book and developmental) | Week 2 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 2 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Summer | Yes - 1 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Not yet recorded.
Reading List
Suggested readings will be provided over the course of the module, including materials available online (e.g. blogs by agricultural economists; articles in the journal "EuroChoices").
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Tues 15:00 - 16:50 |