REMRARI-Introduction to Agriculture and Rural Industries

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mr Nicholas Millard
Email: n.r.millard@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will provide an introduction to the significant rural land uses in the UK, including: agriculture and other land-based industries, e.g. forestry, sporting, leisure and recreation, mineral extraction and waste management, and renewable energy. Students will consider the economic contribution these industries can provide to the rural economy and individual farming and estate businesses. The module will also offer an introduction to the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services – including the social and environmental benefits that can result from sustainable land management. 

Aims:

To examine the operational context for the rural economy in the light of possible economic and political volatility in the next few years. It aims, in particular, to provide students with limited experience of the rural economy to gain a high level understanding of agriculture and other land-based industries, and the relevance of property to their activities, 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Comment on the policy context within which the various industries operate


• Analyse the main UK farming enterprises and the key factors affecting their financial performance


• Discuss other rural land-based industries, and how they make a financial contribution to rural businesses


• Utilise basic accounting information to inform management decision making


• Evaluate the importance and value of property to key rural industries

Additional outcomes:

• Enhance communication skills through case studies and presentations in seminar sessions


• Develop essay and report writing skills through coursework


• Enhance the ability to research and assimilate technical information

Outline content:

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  Core themes in global agricultural industry and commodity trades 

  
  


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  Overview of UK agriculture andagricultural policy in the UK and elsewhere 

  
  


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  Analysis of various agricultural systems, e.g. livestock, combinable crops, high value crops 

  
  


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  Farm accounting, particularly gross margin analysis and business appraisal 

  
  






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  UK forestry and forest crops 

  
  


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  Mineral extraction and waste management 

  
  


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  Sporting and conservation

  
  


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  Renewable energy 

  
  


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  Innovative land-based products and services, e.g. ecosystem services 

  
  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	20	2
Seminars	4	4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	24	24
Wider reading (directed)	23	23
Exam revision/preparation		22
Advance preparation for classes	6	6
Essay preparation	20
Reflection	2
Total hours by term	99	99	2
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One two hour exam 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Single piece of individual coursework in the form of a professional report with a word guide of 2,500 words. Submission Week 9 Autumn Term

Formative assessment methods:

In-class case studies will provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning to real-life scenarios and to receive informal feedback. 

 

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmissionPGflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark for this module is 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variations by the Examination Board where appropriate. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 29 March 2022