ECONOMICS OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The different territorial classifications, adopted at international, European and national levels, often represent opportunities for companies. They affect business decisions addressing choices to specific sustainable investments, productive sectors, or adoption of innovative processes. Focusing mainly on rural areas, the course provides students with tools to describe and analyse different territorial classifications, to understand the evolution of the concept of rural with regard to the adopted multi sectorial and territorial strategies or policies at the international, European and national level, to identify opportunities for businesses. Therefore, at the end of the course, the student will be able to analyse the tools, the procedures, the financial resources, the results obtained or expected in specific case studies (distinguishing between developed and developing countries), to propose appropriate adjustments and to identify specific opportunities for companies.

Remembering and understanding
1.1 Understanding the different territorial delimitation at international, European and national levels, with particular attention to rural areas
1.2 Comparing the different opportunities for companies deriving from different territorial delimitations and knowing any limits that insist on specific territorial contexts
1.3 Knowing the functioning of the main Support Agencies (public and private) operating in the field of development strategies of the less favored areas

Applying and Analysing
2.1 Applying acquired knowledge by identifying public strategies applied to specific territorial delimitations with particular attention to rural areas
2.2 Acquiring analytical tools to identify specific business opportunities
2.3 Verifying the compatibility of corporate decisions with territorial development strategies

Evaluating
3.1 Identifying the company choices that can be adopted in relation to the territorial locations of enterprises
3.2 Interpreting the functioning of public and private non-profit organizations operating in areas with development problems (such as: IMF, World Bank, FAO, EU)
3.3 Reflecting on the public policies adopted in different territorial areas, on their results and on their possible distortion (such as land investment)

Knowledge of the basic concepts of micro and macro economics

1. Different concepts of rural and urban areas
2. The delimitations of rural areas according to the different methodologies existing in the literature
3. European policies for environmental protection and rural development
4. Functions and roles of public institutions in sustainable rural development
5. The interventions adopted and the results of some important experiences: case studies
6. Opportunities for businesses in relation to territorial public policies

MANDATORY TEACHING MATERIALS
Are available on the Moodle page of the course and must to be consulted (https://moodle.unive.it/course/view.php?id=847 ). It is strongly suggested to contact the teacher in case of doubts at least one week before the exam

SUGGESTED MATERIALS
OECD (2010) Agricultural Policies and Rural development, available at: http://www.oecd.org/agriculture/44561502.pdf
IFAD (2016) Rural Development Report, Part two: Thematic analysis available at https://www.ifad.org/documents/30600024/30604583/RDR_WEB.pdf/c734d0c4-fbb1-4507-9b4b-6c432c6f38c3

The exam is written and is based on the assessment of the expected learning outcomes. The exam, which lasts about 60 minutes, is usually divided into three questions, two of which are theoretical and one on the analysis of a case study, taken from a short article. The first two are mainly targeted at the measurement of the ability to apply knowledge and understanding; the analysis of the case study at the ability to judge.
The minimum pass score on the exam is 18 points.
A list of theoretical questions and analysis of some cases are available on the moodle platform.
Books, notes or electronic media are not allowed during the exam

The course mainly follows a conventional teaching approach combined with e-learning activities. The conventional approach essentially aims to provide students with the tools to describe and analyze the less favored areas and policies adopted and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to identify opportunities for companies in specific case studies. The e-learning activities are directed, above all, but not only, to verify the degree of judgment acquired.

English

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development