NA0204, Economic perspectives on agriculture and the environment, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: PN-O, 2025-12-12
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)

Level

First cycle (G1F)

Main field of study

Economics

Grading Scale

5 / 4 / 3 / U

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

Swedish

Entry Requirements

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with basic knowledge in applied economics, focusing on the topics of agricultural and environmental economics, with perspectives from the entire food chain. The course is centred on resource use-related sustainability challenges and policy-oriented agricultural and environmental goal conflicts.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• describe the function of the food system and its interaction with the environment, based on key microeconomic concepts such as externalities, public goods, multifunctionality, transaction costs, property rights, and economic efficiency;
• explain how monetary welfare measures can be used to study how consumers value changes in environmental quality;
• describe and critically reflect on how environmental and agricultural policies can be designed to steer towards sustainability, environmental objectives and other policy targets as well as economic efficiency;
• problematize the importance of multilateral economic instruments and global climate agreements to meet demands for reduced emissions based on trade theory;
• use economic models to calculate, for example, optimal abatement levels, the economic effects of policy instruments, production volumes with and without risk, and efficient extraction of natural resources.

Content

Subject-related content

The course is conducted with the help of lectures, exercises, compulsory seminars and self-study.

The course focuses on the understanding of the food system and its interaction with the environment from an economic perspective, centred on key microeconomic theories and concepts.

The course explores how economic policy instruments can mitigate environmental impacts and how environmental and agricultural policies can be designed to steer towards environmental objectives, economic efficiency, and sustainability challenges.

Teaching formats

To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used:

Lectures, exercises and seminars

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:

Oral presentation, group work, and information seeking

Mandatory parts:

Seminars

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Passed written examination. Approved participation in compulsory seminar

•  If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Economics

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Politices kandidat - hållbar utveckling
• Business and Economics - Sustainable Development (BSc)
• Agricultural Science with a Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Enda modul	7.5	0001

The Course Replaces

NA0188

Other Information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.