88211 - Agricultural Policy Evaluation

Learning outcomes

The course reviews the economic, environmental, social and political landscape of food and farming in rural and urban settings, taking a City Region Food Systems approach to analyze food system transformation pathways. At the end of the course the student is able to: map the different stakeholders operating in the food and farming sectors in rural and urban settings; understand food system purpose, rules, and power structures; reflect on policy objectives, instruments and strategies; identify and assess food systems impacts; understand and manage tools for the evaluation of food systems related policies.

Course contents

PREREQUISITES

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, a basic understanding of key concepts in economics and statistics (e.g. interpreting equations, graphs and quantitative information) will facilitate the comprehension of the analytical tools introduced during the course.

Agricultural Policy Evaluation (3 ECTS)

Public policy encompasses the actions and decisions undertaken by governments to address societal challenges and pursue long-term public objectives. Agricultural and food systems remain strategic sectors across countries at different stages of development and are strongly influenced by public policies responding to economic, environmental and social challenges.

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of agricultural policy analysis and evaluation. Adopting a problem-oriented approach, students progressively develop the analytical skills required to understand policy processes, evaluate existing policies and formulate evidence-informed interventions addressing real-world agricultural and food system challenges.

The course will:

• explain the role of public policies in agricultural and food systems;
• analyse the policy process and policy evaluation frameworks;
• introduce analytical tools for policy analysis and evaluation;
• develop the ability to critically assess existing policies and design evidence-informed interventions;
• prepare students to develop an evidence-based policy paper.

Unit 1 – Setting the context

Agricultural and food economics: basic concepts. Public policy: concepts and definitions. The role of governments in food and agriculture. The policy process: problem identification, agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Institutional and non-institutional actors. Governments, corporations and civil society organizations. Policy objectives: market failures, food security, sustainability and the circular economy.

Unit 2 – The politics of farm subsidies

Why do farm subsidies persist? How have agricultural support policies evolved over time? Who benefits from agricultural subsidies and who bears their costs? The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a case study of policy evolution, implementation and reform.

Unit 3 – Policy analysis and policy writing

This seminar introduces the principles and analytical approaches for developing evidence-based policy papers. Students will learn how to define a policy problem, critically analyse evidence, compare policy alternatives and formulate well-supported policy recommendations.

Unit 4 – Policy analysis and evaluation

Analytical frameworks for policy evaluation. Defining the problem; assembling evidence; constructing alternatives; selecting evaluation criteria; projecting outcomes; analysing trade-offs; making recommendations; communicating policy analysis.

Unit 5 – Case studies

Case studies vary from year to year according to emerging policy challenges and students' interests. They provide opportunities to apply the analytical frameworks introduced during the course to real-world agricultural and food policy issues. Examples include:

• Food waste: definition, quantification and policy interventions.
• Life Cycle Costing of horticultural products.
• City-Region Food Systems (CRFS) for resilient and sustainable food systems.
• Development evaluation: principles, methods and practical applications.

Unit 6 - Applied Policy Lab: Designing Evidence-Informed Interventions for Food System Sustainability

The Applied Policy Lab is the capstone activity of the course. Working in small groups, students will apply the concepts and analytical frameworks introduced throughout the module to address a real-world agricultural or food system challenge. Through problem definition, stakeholder analysis, critical appraisal of scientific and policy evidence, and the comparison of alternative intervention options, each group will develop, present and discuss an Intervention Proposal aimed at improving the sustainability of agricultural and food systems. The laboratory strengthens analytical, collaborative and policy design skills while preparing students for the development of the individual policy paper.

Readings/Bibliography

Core references

• Bardach, E., & Patashnik, E. M. (2024). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving (7th ed.). CQ Press (selected chapters).
• Paarlberg, R. (2013). Food Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford University Press (selected chapters).

Additional readings

Additional required and recommended readings, including scientific articles, book chapters, policy papers and reports from international organizations (e.g. FAO, OECD, World Bank, European Commission, IFPRI and CGIAR), will be made available through the University's virtual learning environment. Readings are selected to support classroom discussions, case studies, the Applied Policy Lab and the preparation of the policy paper, while reflecting current policy debates and recent developments in agricultural and food policy analysis. They are intended not only to provide theoretical foundations, but also to support the critical analysis and evaluation of real-world agricultural and food policies through evidence-informed reasoning.

Teaching methods

The course is organized as a progressive learning pathway combining face-to-face lectures with active learning methodologies. Teaching includes seminars, individual and group assignments, case studies, workshops and problem-based learning activities. Real-world case studies are used throughout the course to stimulate discussion and apply analytical frameworks for agricultural policy analysis and evaluation. Students critically analyse scientific literature, policy documents and evaluation reports while progressively developing the knowledge and analytical skills required to prepare their individual policy paper.

Assessment methods

Assessment

Students attending at least 70% of the scheduled classes will be assessed through in-class activities, the Applied Policy Lab, and an individual policy paper.

Throughout the course, students will participate in individual and collaborative learning activities, including policy briefs, literature discussions, case study analyses and workshops. These activities provide formative feedback and progressively prepare students for the final assessment.

As part of the Applied Policy Lab, students working in small groups will develop and present an Intervention Proposal addressing a real-world agricultural or food system challenge.

Each student will prepare an individual policy paper (approximately 4,000 words) on a topic agreed with the lecturer. During the semester, students will present a concept note outlining the policy problem and analytical approach, receiving formative feedback from the lecturer and peers. The final paper must be submitted at least three working days before the examination and will be presented and discussed during the final examination.

The final grade will be based on:

• In-class activities (10%), including policy briefs, literature discussions, case study analyses and other learning activities.
• Applied Policy Lab (30%), based on the quality of the Intervention Proposal, the use of scientific and policy evidence, the analytical justification of the proposed intervention, and the effectiveness of the group presentation and discussion.
• Individual policy paper and oral discussion (60%), evaluating the ability to critically analyse a policy problem, apply appropriate policy analysis frameworks, formulate evidence-informed recommendations, and effectively communicate and defend the proposed analysis.

The policy paper will be assessed considering:

• the relevance and clarity of the policy problem;
• the quality and critical use of scientific and policy evidence;
• the application of appropriate policy analysis frameworks;
• the coherence and feasibility of the proposed recommendations;
• the quality of written communication and academic referencing.

Students attending less than 70% of the scheduled classes will be assessed through an individual policy paper (40%) and an oral examination (60%). The topic of the policy paper must be agreed with the lecturer in advance. The paper must be submitted at least three working days before the examination and will provide the starting point for the oral discussion. The oral examination will assess the student's understanding of the course contents and their ability to critically analyse agricultural and food policy issues using the concepts and analytical frameworks introduced during the course.

Students may use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support brainstorming, literature exploration and language revision. However, AI tools are intended to support—not replace—the student's own critical thinking and academic judgement. Students remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy and academic integrity of all submitted work. Any substantial use of AI tools should be transparently acknowledged.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University support office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). Approved accommodations should be communicated to the lecturer at least 15 days before the examination and will be implemented consistently with the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools include the University's virtual learning environment, collaborative workshops, case-based discussions, policy analysis exercises and the Applied Policy Lab. These tools support the progressive development of analytical, collaborative and policy evaluation skills through the investigation of real-world agricultural and food policy challenges.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Vittuari