Dr D MacLaren. 316-202 Intermediate Microeconomics. First semester Three lectures a week for a total of 9 weeks. (Students choose any 3 of 4 three-week lecture blocks. ) 12 hours of tutorials/seminars. On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• understand the reasons for government intervention in the agricultural sectors of several countries, including Australia, and the policy objectives being pursued;
• analyse rural environmental issues;
• understand the nature and importance of imperfect competition in the marketing of agricultural products and the opportunities for product differentiation which are associated with it;
• analyse the effects of agricultural protectionism on international trade and on the pursuit of domestic policy objectives;
• appreciate aspects of the world food problem.

The reasons for government intervention in the agricultural sector. The economics of public goods, externalities and the rural environment. Concepts of marketing, including integration, promotion, grading and price discrimination. The agricultural policy objectives and instruments of government intervention and regulation in Australia and in selected countries overseas. International trade and agricultural protectionism. The world food problem. Students may choose any three of the four major topics (environmental economics, agricultural policy, agricultural marketing, international aspects. ) A 2-hour written examination at the end of the semester (80 per cent) and an assignment of up to 3,000 words (20 per cent). A pass in the subject requires not only an overall mark of 50% but also a minimum mark of 45% in the final written examination. To be advised