classes are taught in Italian. Module materials ( eg slides, handouts) may be either in English or in French
Course Content
Agriculture as a differentiated branch of production: long term evolution of the agricultural sector, agriculture and the environment.
The environment: elements of ecology, the law of thermodynamics. Concept of sustainability.
Institutions as rules and conventions that facilitate coordination among people. Property rights and property regimes ( private, public, common, free access). Valuing the environment and institutions.
Agri-environmental policies and agro-ecological transitions.
A. Vatn (2005) , Institutions and the environment, Edward Elgar
Module handouts with further reading suggestions
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding of the influence of institutions on collective and individual choices about the use of resources and the management of the environment.
Apply theoretical knowledge to the interaction agriculture -environment and agri-environmental policies
Communication skills in presenting a case study and writing a mini essay.
Learning through the use and interpretation of graphs, taxonomies and conceptual schemes
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of microeconomics
Teaching Methods
Teaching methods are standard taught classes and small group activities in the class related to discussion of texts or other media and solution of specific problems. We plans also to visit Tuscan localities where agrobiodiversity is preserved and valorized.
Group activities may be replaced with individual on line supervised activities.
Further information
All module materials (handouts, guidelines for small group activities, copies of papers) are available on the Moodle platform. Please ask the convenor for the password
Type of Assessment
Coursework ( only for attending students) 40% of module: group powerpoint presentatation on agrobiodiversity management case.
Exam (written: 60% of module for attending 100% for non attending): 3 mini essay on agroenvironmenta policy themes
Course program
Agriculture as a differentiated branch of production: long term evolution of the agricultural sector, agriculture and the environment.
The environment: elements of ecology, the law of thermodynamics. Concept of sustainability.
Institutions as rules and conventions that facilitate coordination among people. Property rights and property regimes ( private, public, common, free access). Valuing the environment and institutions.
Agri-environmental policies and agro-ecological transitions.