Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2017

Agroecosystem Sciences Master Information
Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2016)
Minors
Agricultural Economics and Policy
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
751-2903-00LEvaluation of Agricultural PoliciesW3 credits2GM. Stolze, S. Mann
AbstractThe course focuses on agricultural eeconomic research with particular focus on policy evaluation. We impart insights in the issue of policy evaluation as part of agricultural economics research.
ObjectiveFocus: Policy Evaluation
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The students are to...
- have a critical look at different angles of agri-economic research
- study scientific literature of the focus theme
- consider strengths, weaknesses and the application of research approaches
- apply knowledge gained from other courses with respect to the focus theme
- get insights in agricultural economic research of the national research institutions by visiting Agroscope and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
- be capable to conduct evaluations and critically reflect evaluation results
ContentUnit: Subject
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01: Introduction
02: The normative frame for policy evaluation
03: Excursion to Frick
04: Public Politics for Evaluation
05: Application of Evaluations
06: Quantitive Methods
07: Excursion to Tänikon
08: Qualitative Methods
09: Case Study
10: Examination
Lecture notesHandouts (power point presentations)
Literature1) Bussmann Werner, Klöti Ulrich und Knoepfel Peter, 2004 (Hrsg). Einführung in die Politikevaluation. Helbling&Lichtenhahn. In German language. Will be privided by the lectures in unit 01.

2) Vedung Evert, 2000. Public Policy and Program Evaluation. ISBN 0-7658-0687-8.
Prerequisites / NoticeUnit 03: 1 day course at FiBL in 5070 Frick, Link

Unit 09: 1 day course at Agroscope in Tänikon, 8356 Ettenhausen, Link
751-2205-00LAdvanced Management in the Agri-Food-ChainW2 credits2GM. Weber
AbstractAdvanced Management in the Agri-Food-Chain
(Vorlesung wird in deutscher Sprache abgehalten.)
ObjectiveAfter the lecture the students ...
... know the characteristics and consequences of complexity in the organizational world,
... know and can apply selected comprehensive models for managing in complex situations,
... know possible practical applications and examples of the treated contents to organizations in the Agri-Food Chain and
... are able to deepen the relevant topics in an autonomous way.
ContentIn the lecture the following contents will be treated:
- State, reasons and effects of complexity in the organizational world.
- A basic framework for shaping and governing intelligent organizations.
- Selected contemporary models for managing in the complex organizational world.
- Transfer and adaption of the models to organizations in the Agri-Food Chain.
Lecture notesReader with selected contents.
Prerequisites / Notice- Vorlesung "Management in the Agri-Food Chain" in D-USYS
752-2122-00LFood and Consumer BehaviourW2 credits2VM. Siegrist, C. Hartmann
AbstractThis course focuses on food consumer behavior, consumer's decision-making processes and consumer's attitudes towards food products.
ObjectiveThe course provides an overview about the following topics: Factors influencing consumer's food choice, food and health, attitudes towards new foods and food technologies, labeling and food policy issues
751-2103-00LSocioeconomics of Agriculture Information W2 credits2VS. Mann
AbstractThe main part of this lecture will examine constellations where hierarchies, markets or cooperation have been observed and described in the agricultural sector. On a more aggregated level, different agricultural systems will be evaluated in terms of main socioeconomic parameters like social capital or perceptions.
ObjectiveStudents should be able to describe the dynamics of hierarchies, markets and cooperation in an agricultural context.
ContentIntroduction to Sociology
Introduction to Socioeconomics
Agricultural Administration: Path dependencies and efficiency issues
Power in the Chain
The farming family
Occupational Choices
Consumption Choices
Locational Choices
Common Resource Management in Alpine Farming
Agricultural Cooperatives
Societal perceptions of agriculture
Perceptions of farming from within
Varieties of agricultural systems and policies
Lecture notesLink
Literaturesee script
Prerequisites / NoticeBasic economic knowledge is expected.
751-1573-00LDynamic Simulation in Agricultural and Regional EconomicsW2 credits2VB. Kopainsky
AbstractIn this class, students learn the basics of system dynamics and its application to agricultural and regional economic questions. In the second half of the class, students develop their own simulation model, with which they evaluate potential interventions for improving the economic as well as the ecological sustainability of food systems.
Objective- Students learn the basic theory and practice of dynamic simulation
- Students can develop, analyze and extend a dynamic simulation model and interpret its results.
- By applying the developed simulation model, students gain insights into food system issues. They also learn to recognize the benefits and pitfalls of dynamic simulation, both from a theoretical and an applied perspective.
Lecture notesslides (will be provided during the class)
Literaturearticles and papers (will be provided during the class)
751-0423-00LRisk Analysis and Risk Management in AgricultureW3 credits2GR. Finger
AbstractAgricultural production is exposed to various risks which are important for decisions taken by farmers and other actors in the agri-food sector. Moreover, risk management is indispensable for all actors. This course introduces modern concepts on decision making under risk and recent developments in risk management. The focus of this course in on agriculture applications.
Objective-to develop a better understanding of decision making under uncertainty and risk;
-to gain experience in different approaches to analyze risky decisions;
-to develop an understanding for different sources of risk in agricultural production;
-to understand the crucial role of subjective perceptions and preferences for risk management decisions;
-to get an overview on risk management in the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on insurance solutions
Content- Quantification and measurement of risk
- Risk preferences, expected utility theory and alternative models of risk behavior
- Concepts on the decision making under risk
- Production, investment and diversification decisions under risk
- Risk management in agriculture
Lecture notesHandouts will be distributed in the lecture and available on the moodle.
Prerequisites / Noticeknowledge of basic concepts of probability theory and microeconomics
363-0305-00LEmpirical Methods in Management Information W3 credits2GF. von Wangenheim
AbstractEvidence-based management requires valid empirical research. In this course, students will learn the basics of research design, fundamentals of data collection and statistical methods to analyze the data acquired in social science research. Students are expected to apply their knowledge in class discussions and out-of-class assignments.
Objective- Ability to formulate research questions and designing an appropriate study
- Ability to collect and analyze data using a variety of methods
- Ability to critically assess the quality of empirical research in management
- Applied knowledge of empirical methods through out-of-class assignments
Content1) Introduction to empirical management research
2) Research designs: exploratory, descriptive, experimental
3) Measurement and scaling
4) Data collection and sampling
5) Data analysis methods
6) Reporting and presenting empirical research
Prerequisites / NoticeAssignments and projects: This course includes out-of-class assignments and projects to give students some hands-on experience in conducting empirical research in management. Projects will focus on one particular aspect of empirical research, like the formulation of a research question or the design of a study. Students will have at least one week to work on each assignment. Students are expected to work on these assignments individually. Duplicate answers will receive no credit and will be subject to a disciplinary review. Assignments will be graded and need to be turned-in on time.

Class participation: Class participation is encouraged and can greatly improve students' learning in this class. In this spirit, students are expected to attend class regularly and come to class prepared.
851-0626-01LInternational Aid and Development Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 40

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of economics
W2 credits2VI. Günther
AbstractThe course gives economic and empirical foundations for a sound understanding of the instruments, prospects and limitations of international development aid.
ObjectiveStudents have a theoretically and empirically sound understanding of the prospects and limitations of international development aid. Students are able to critically discuss the various aid instruments of bi-and multilateral donors and NGOs.
ContentIntroduction to the Determinants of Underdevelopment; History of Aid; Aid and Development: Theories and Empirics; Political Economy of Aid; Experience and Impact of Aid; New Instruments of Aid: e.g. Micro-Finance, Budget-Support; Fair-Trade.
LiteratureArticles and book abstracts will be uploaded to a course website.
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