How?

Demonstrating Knowledge - Skills Principles and models. Define economics principles and models
Can you use the language and tools of economic analysis?
Recognising and showing an understanding of key economic terms, concepts, formulas, theories, methods and models
providing a clear definition of the key term in the question as well as a correct explanation
Knowledge can also be demonstrated by making relevant points, showcasing further knowledge, such as stating a feature, benefit, drawback or implication
Use Economic Terminology. Avoid oversimplifying your language. Use specific economic terms to convey your understanding of the subject matter. This specificity adds credibility to your answers and demonstrates your familiarity with economic discourse.
Multiple Choice
Identify the key concept (e.g. "demerger") and focus on the scenario provided
Carefully read the options and break down each option logically:
Ask yourself how each option relates to the key concept
Eliminate those that clearly do not apply
Use your knowledge of economic theory
Apply your knowledge to match the scenario with the most likely answer
In the example above, a demerger usually helps firms focus on core business activities
Choose and verify your answer
Select the best option and double-check it against both the context and the question
Write definition/explain
Keep your answer concise, direct and relevant
Avoid lengthy explanations
Focus on making the link between the factor and its impact clear in one or two sentences
Spend no more than two minutes on each of these questions
Demonstrate Application/Calculation/Draw or Explain a Diagram - Skill Graphing and visuals. Model economic situations using graphs or visual representations
Can you draw accurately labeled graphs of all of the above?
Using the context in the question for calculations. This means using the data provided to apply economic formulas
Use of data or information from the stimulus material in the question to support a point
How? with example on micro/macro topics exam
Focus on the specific context provided
E.g. the effects on price and quantity of oil in the US from Hurricane Harvey
Identify what the question requires
In this case, a supply and demand diagram showing the leftward shift in supply and the resulting changes in price and quantity
Correctly draw the diagram
Label all axes and components clearly:
Original supply curve (S1) and demand curve (D)
Initial equilibrium price (P1) and quantity (Q2)
Shift in the supply curve (S2) due to reduced production capacity
Label the new equilibrium price and quantity as P2 (higher price) and Q2 (lower quantity)
Demonstrate knowledge (1+1 Marks) by showing:
The original equilibrium: Initial price and quantity where demand equals supply
The correct shift in the supply curve: A leftward shift to show reduced production capacity after the hurricane
Provide application (1+1 Marks) by applying economic theory to the diagram:
Show that reduced supply increases price (P2) and reduces quantity (Q2)
Make sure the diagram reflects the market adjustment to the disruption
Ensure all curves, equilibrium points, and axes (price and quantity) are labelled and the changes are clear
Spend around four minutes on a four-mark question, making sure you focus on clarity and precision
How? with IELTS tips
Demonstrate Analysis/Evaluation/Judgement - Skills Manipulation. Determine outcomes of specific economic situations. Interpretation. Explain given economic outcomes.
Given an effect, can you determine the likely cause?
Given a cause, can you predict the effects?
Developing logical chains of reasoning, showing cause and effect, impacts and outcomes
Showing a coherent X leads to Y, resulting in Z chain of reasoning to develop cause and effect
Strong analysis considers the consequences and impacts for consumers, producers, governments and countries
Showing judgement, weighing up the relative importance of factors, comparing points of view or recommending a course of action with justified evidence
Top-level 3 evaluation needs to be balanced, requiring both sides of an argument to be developed in context with its significance. Using an If... Then... Less/More significant approach can help you provide a justified judgement

What and how?

After a successful completion of the course:
Knowledge about Food Markets - Can understand/describe/explain
- Economic Literacy (understanding market structures, key players, trends)
- Analytical Thinking (identifying factors influencing markets)
- Critical Thinking (evaluating intermarket relationships, identifying causal links)
- Economic Literacy (understanding how markets interact)
- Analytical Thinking (applying models to real-world market changes)
- Quantitative Skills (using econometric/statistical tools for market analysis)
- Quantitative & Statistical Skills (apply econometric tools, interpret price trends and elasticities)
- Economic Literacy (knowledge of key stakeholders, supply chain structure)
- Analytical Thinking (mapping actors and their roles in trade)
are able to analyse developments on agricultural and food markets based on economic theories.
Products/ Supply, demand, trade of major food markets (European/global). can describe key European and global agricultural and food markets.
Interdependencies between markets. Interdependencies between agricultural and food markets. can explain the impact of interdependencies between agricultural and food markets.
Pricing systems
Actors / companies. Relevant actors on agricultural and food markets. can explain and structure relevant actors of international agricultural and food markets.
Knowledge about Institutional Framework - Can understand and then describe/explain
- Economic Literacy (understanding WTO rules, agreements, and trade policies)
- Analytical Thinking (assessing the role of WTO mechanisms in trade disputes)
- Analytical & Quantitative Thinking (analyze impact of tariffs, model trade distortions)
- Critical Thinking (distinguishing legitimate NTBs from protectionist measures)
- Economic Literacy (understanding trade restrictions, compliance structures)
- Critical Thinking (assessing economic impacts of NTBs on stakeholders, analyzing trade distortions, policy effectiveness)
- Quantitative & Statistical Skills (applying models to measure welfare impacts)
- Economic Literacy (understanding regulatory differences and trade implications)
- Analytical Thinking (evaluating the role of private vs public standards), Economic Literacy (market regulations, compliance structures)
Legal framework for international markets.
WTO as the framework for global food markets. can describe the basic framework for international trade provided by the WTO.
Tariff barriers
Non-tariff barriers. Relevance and evaluation of Non-Tariff Trade Barriers in agicultural and food markets. Can explain the relevance, the international framework of NTB in agricultural and food markets.
are able to evaluate the welfare effects of NTB under different assumptions.
Private Standards. Private versus public standards in agricultural and food markets. comprehend the difference between private and public standards in world agricultural and food markets.
Knowledge on Relevant Organisation - Can explain
- Analytical Thinking (assessing value chain dependencies and efficiency), Statistical Skills (HHI, firm-level concentration measures, spatial economics)
- Economic Literacy (understanding logistics and coordination mechanisms), Analytical Thinking (mapping dependencies, trade relationships)
Spatial and enterprise concentration in the agricultural up- and downstream sector. can explain the need for coordination within food value chains depending on product and value chain characteristics.
Global Value Chains
Concentration (business level)
Spatial concentration
Understand Analytical Framework - Can evaluate
- Quantitative & Statistical Skills (interpreting economic models and their assumptions), Critical Thinking & Quantitative Analysis (policy evaluation, impact assessment)
- Critical Thinking (assessing robustness of model outcomes). Quantitative & Statistical Skills (econometric analysis, graphical/mathematical models)
Basics of modelling agricultural markets. Modelling food markets. can evaluate results of agricultural models
Approaches / limits / applications
Welfare Analysis
Measuring Competitiveness
Apply and Communicate - Can evaluate, explain, discuss
- Communication Skills (oral and written, presenting economic findings clearly),
- Critical Thinking (synthesizing multiple economic concepts into a structured argument)
Are able to combine insights generated in class to a specific case and present/ discuss in class.

Learning outcomes | With grading scale explanations
1 -1.5
Sehr gut (Very good).
The performance meets the requirements to an exceptionally high degree and you demonstrated outstanding competence.
1.6-2.5
Gut (Good).
The performance is well above average and you have a strong grasp of the subject matter.
all expectations have been met in full
2.6-3.5
Befriedigend (Satisfactory).
The performance is at an average level and you have a reasonable understanding of the material.
3.6-4.0
Ausreichend (Sufficient).
You reached the minimum score to pass the exam, despite deficiencies.
an average work with some minor deficiencies
4.1-5.0
Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient).
Your performance doesn’t meet the requirements to pass.
deficient; minimum expectations have not been met, although the candidate has demonstrated a basic grasp of the main concepts

- can describe key European and global agricultural and food markets.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of key European and global agricultural and food markets, including their structure, major players, and significant trends.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Shows a strong understanding of key markets, identifying major components and trends.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Provides a basic description of markets but may miss some details or show a less thorough understanding of the interdependencies.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Offers a minimal description with some inaccuracies or omissions.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to adequately describe the markets, demonstrating a poor understanding of fundamental aspects.
- can explain the impact of interdependencies between agricultural and food markets.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Clearly articulates the complex interdependencies between various agricultural and food markets, detailing how changes in one market impact others, with strong examples.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Explains the interdependencies with good examples, showing how different markets are interconnected.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Identifies some interdependencies but may not fully explore the depth or complexity of the relationships.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Offers a basic explanation with some inaccuracies and limited understanding of the impact.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Fails to understand or explain the interdependencies, showing a lack of comprehension of how markets are connected.
- are able to analyse developments on agricultural and food markets based on economic theories.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Applies economic theories to analyze market developments, accurately explaining the causes and consequences of changes in prices, production, and trade, using appropriate economic models.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Uses economic theories to analyze market changes with good comprehension of the economic principles involved.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Applies economic theories to analyze market developments with some inconsistencies or oversimplifications of complex dynamics.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Attempts to apply economic theories, but demonstrates limited understanding and inaccuracies.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to apply economic theories correctly or explain market developments, displaying minimal economic literacy.
- can describe the basic framework for international trade provided by the WTO.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the WTO framework, including its purpose, key agreements, and mechanisms for resolving trade disputes, particularly in the context of agriculture.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Explains the basic WTO framework for international trade with a good understanding of its function and key aspects.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Provides a basic description of the WTO framework, but may omit certain components or display a limited understanding of the complexities.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Offers a limited description with some inaccuracies or omissions.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to describe the WTO framework, showing a basic lack of understanding of its purpose and key principles
- can explain the relevance, the international framework of NTB in agricultural and food markets.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Explains the international framework of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in agricultural and food markets, clearly identifying various forms of NTBs, their impact, and how they are addressed within international trade agreements, with strong examples.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Explains the relevance and framework of NTBs with examples, showing a good grasp of the topic.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Identifies some NTBs, but may lack a deep understanding of their relevance and framework.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Offers a limited explanation with some inaccuracies and limited understanding of NTBs.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to explain NTBs, displaying a poor understanding of their role in agricultural and food markets.
- are able to evaluate the welfare effects of NTB under different assumptions.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Evaluates the welfare effects of NTBs, clearly explaining how different assumptions and market conditions can lead to varying welfare outcomes for consumers, producers, and governments using appropriate models and diagrams.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Evaluates welfare effects of NTBs with sound comprehension of economic principles and the impacts on various stakeholders.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Identifies welfare effects, but may oversimplify the analysis or not fully explore the impacts under different scenarios.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Attempts to evaluate welfare effects, but shows limited understanding and inaccuracies.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to evaluate welfare effects, demonstrating an inadequate grasp of basic welfare economics.
- comprehend the difference between private and public standards in world agricultural and food markets.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the differences between private and public standards, detailing their development, enforcement, and impact on trade and market dynamics.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Explains the differences between private and public standards, describing their purpose and impact in the context of global trade.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Identifies some differences, but may lack an understanding of their complexities.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Offers a basic explanation with some inaccuracies and limited understanding of the impact.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to differentiate between private and public standards, displaying a poor understanding of their role in world markets.
- can explain and structure relevant actors of international agricultural and food markets.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Clearly identifies and structures the relevant actors in international agricultural and food markets (e.g., governments, traders, producers, consumers, NGOs), articulating their roles, interests, and influence, and their interactions within the global food system.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Explains and structures key actors in the global food markets and understands their main roles and relationships.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Identifies some actors, but may not fully explain their roles or interrelations, missing key players or their significance.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Provides a basic description with some inaccuracies or omissions.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to identify or structure the relevant actors, showing a lack of understanding of the different stakeholders.
- can explain the need for coordination within food value chains depending on product and value chain characteristics.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Explains the critical need for coordination within food value chains, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of how this coordination varies depending on product characteristics, value chain structure, and the requirements for food safety, traceability, and quality assurance.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Explains why coordination is needed within food value chains and how this is influenced by value chain characteristics.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Identifies the need for coordination, but may lack the depth or specificity, especially with respect to product or value chain attributes.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Offers a basic explanation with some inaccuracies or omissions regarding the need for coordination.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to explain the need for coordination, showing a basic lack of understanding of value chain operations.
- can evaluate results of agricultural models.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Critically evaluates the results of agricultural models, demonstrating a thorough understanding of their assumptions, limitations, and implications for policy and decision making, interpreting model outputs and applying them to real-world scenarios with a high level of insight.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Evaluates the results of agricultural models with good understanding of their assumptions and limitations.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Evaluates results of models, but may miss key assumptions or limitations or struggle to apply insights to real-world scenarios.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Attempts to evaluate results, but shows limited understanding and inaccuracies.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to evaluate results, showing minimal model literacy and an inadequate grasp of the relevance of model outputs
- are able to combine insights generated in class to a specific case and present/ discuss in class.
1.0-1.5 (Very Good): Demonstrates a remarkable ability to synthesize diverse insights from the course, applying them effectively to a specific real-world case study, and presenting the findings with exceptional clarity, insight, and engagement, effectively leading a class discussion that expands on the topic.
1.6-2.5 (Good): Combines insights effectively to a specific case and presents and discusses findings clearly.
2.6-3.5 (Satisfactory): Combines some insights and presents on a case study, but may have some weaknesses in analysis or presentation.
3.6-4.0 (Sufficient): Attempts to combine insights, but the presentation is unclear and demonstrates a limited understanding of the case.
4.1-5.0 (Insufficient): Unable to synthesize insights or present findings on a case study, demonstrating poor overall understanding of the material.
There are no rows in this table

Course topics | Grading scale
1 -1.5
Sehr gut (Very good).
The performance meets the requirements to an exceptionally high degree and you demonstrated outstanding competence.
1.6-2.5
Gut (Good).
The performance is well above average and you have a strong grasp of the subject matter.
all expectations have been met in full
2.6-3.5
Befriedigend (Satisfactory).
The performance is at an average level and you have a reasonable understanding of the material.
3.6-4.0
Ausreichend (Sufficient).
You reached the minimum score to pass the exam, despite deficiencies.
an average work with some minor deficiencies
4.1-5.0
Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient).
Your performance doesn’t meet the requirements to pass.
deficient; minimum expectations have not been met, although the candidate has demonstrated a basic grasp of the main concepts
1. Products/Supply, demand, trade of major food markets (European/global)
Demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the supply, demand, and trade dynamics of major food markets, both European and global. Can articulate specific details about key products like grains (wheat, rice, and maize), meats (beef, mutton/lamb, pork, and poultry), dairy products, and oilseeds. Shows detailed knowledge of trade patterns, including major exporters and importers. Understands the impact of trade policies and standards on market access.
Shows a strong understanding of the supply, demand, and trade of major food markets. Can identify key products and their trade patterns, demonstrating a strong grasp of market dynamics. Understands the importance of food safety and agricultural health measures
Shows a reasonable understanding of basic concepts related to supply, demand, and trade in major food markets. Can identify some key products and their origins. Demonstrates basic understanding of the impact of standards on trade
Demonstrates a basic understanding of some of the elements of supply and demand in food markets, but may be limited in scope. Struggles to articulate trade patterns and their drivers. Understands that food safety and agricultural health measures are present
Shows a lack of understanding of the basic concepts of supply, demand and trade in food markets. Cannot identify key products or trade patterns. Unable to explain any significant impact of standards
Interdependencies between markets
Displays a comprehensive understanding of the interdependencies between agricultural and food markets, including how changes in one market can affect others. Can explain the relationships between commodity markets and processed food markets. Understands how factors such as climate change, population growth, and economic development can impact these interdependencies.
Demonstrates a good understanding of the interdependencies between agricultural and food markets. Can explain how changes in one market can influence others
Demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of basic interdependencies between agricultural and food markets
Demonstrates a limited awareness of the interdependencies between agricultural and food markets
Does not show an understanding of the interdependencies between agricultural and food markets
Pricing systems
Shows exceptional knowledge of pricing systems, including the factors that influence price determination. Can explain the concept of market equilibrium and how it is achieved. Demonstrates a deep understanding of the impact of government policies on prices, as well as the role of market structure.
Shows a good understanding of pricing systems, and can explain basic concepts such as market equilibrium and factors affecting price.
Has a basic understanding of how prices are determined, but may struggle with more complex concepts
Demonstrates a limited understanding of pricing systems and struggles to apply the core concept
Demonstrates a very limited or no understanding of pricing systems in the food market
Actors/Companies
Demonstrates an outstanding understanding of the key actors in agricultural and food markets, such as farmers, traders, processors, and retailers. Can provide in-depth information about major companies, like the ABCD traders (Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus Company) and their roles in shaping global commodity supply chains. Shows an advanced understanding of the influence of large companies, like Monsanto, on specific markets.
Demonstrates good knowledge of key actors in the food system, such as farmers, traders, and retailers. Can identify some of the major companies involved
Has a reasonable knowledge of main actors like farmers or retailers. Can identify some companies in the food and agricultural sector
Has some awareness of key actors but lacks detailed knowledge. Limited understanding of the companies in the agricultural and food markets
Fails to identify major actors and companies in the agricultural and food markets
2. Legal framework for international markets
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape, including the nuances of international trade law, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the interaction between different legal frameworks.
Displays a strong understanding of the key legal frameworks and their impact on trade, including a grasp of how international laws are developed and enforced.
Shows a reasonable understanding of the main legal frameworks, but may lack details or nuances.
Has a basic awareness of legal frameworks but struggles to explain the complexities or the impacts on international trade.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the legal frameworks governing international trade.
WTO as the framework for global food markets
Exhibits a deep understanding of the WTO's role, its agreements, dispute settlement mechanisms, and how they shape global agricultural trade. Can analyse the impact of specific WTO agreements on different countries and sectors.
Shows a solid grasp of the WTO's functions, key agreements, and its role in shaping agricultural trade. Can explain the basic principles and the main areas of focus of the WTO.
Understands the basic purpose of the WTO and its general impact on trade, but may have gaps in their knowledge or details of the specific agreements.
Has a limited understanding of the WTO's role, with an inability to explain its main functions and key agreements, or the impact on real-world markets.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the WTO's role and its impact on global food markets.
Tariff barriers
Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of tariffs, their impact on trade, various types of tariffs, and how they interact with other trade policies, and can assess the effectiveness and limitations of tariffs as a trade tool.
Shows a strong understanding of tariffs and their impact on trade, and can differentiate between various types of tariffs, including ad valorem, specific, and compound tariffs.
Shows a reasonable understanding of tariffs, but may lack detail about different types or the full scope of their impact.
Has a basic understanding of tariffs, but may struggle to understand different types of tariffs or how they influence markets.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of tariffs and their role in international trade.
Non-tariff barriers.
Exhibits a comprehensive understanding of non-tariff barriers, their complexity, and their impact on agricultural trade. Can explain how technical barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), and other non-tariff measures operate and their implications for global trade.
Displays a solid understanding of non-tariff barriers and their impact on trade, including examples of technical barriers and SPS measures. Can discuss the difficulties in quantifying these impacts.
Shows a reasonable understanding of non-tariff barriers but may lack detail about specific types or their effects on trade.
Has a basic understanding of non-tariff barriers but is unable to identify specific types and the complexities of their impact on the market.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of non-tariff barriers.
Relevance and evaluation of Non-Tariff Trade Barriers in agricultural and food markets
Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the complexity of non-tariff barriers, and can evaluate them in the context of market access, food safety, and sustainability, and can differentiate between legitimate and protectionist non-tariff measures.
Shows a strong grasp of how non-tariff barriers affect different actors in food markets. Can discuss the trade-offs between legitimate concerns such as food safety and their potential to be misused as trade barriers.
Shows a reasonable understanding of the relevance of non-tariff barriers but may not fully comprehend their complexity or the nuances of evaluating them.
Has a basic awareness of the relevance of non-tariff barriers in agricultural and food markets, but struggles to understand the trade-offs and their overall impact.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the role and evaluation of non-tariff barriers in agricultural markets.
Private Standards. Private versus public standards in agricultural and food markets
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between private and public standards, can differentiate between the drivers, objectives, and limitations of private and public standards, and can discuss how these standards impact market access, food safety, and sustainability.
Shows a strong understanding of private standards and their role alongside public standards. Can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of private standards versus public standards.
Shows a reasonable understanding of private standards but may lack detail on their differences from public standards.
Has a basic understanding of private standards but lacks the ability to critically compare with public standards or the market consequences.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of private standards and their interaction with public standards.
3. Spatial and enterprise concentration in the agricultural up- and downstream sector
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the patterns of concentration, including both spatial and enterprise dimensions, and can analyse the drivers and consequences of concentration in both up- and downstream sectors.
Shows a strong grasp of how concentration manifests in the agricultural sector, both spatially and at the enterprise level. Can explain the key factors influencing these patterns.
Shows a reasonable understanding of concentration, but may lack detail about how it manifests spatially or in terms of specific business types.
Has a basic awareness of concentration but struggles to explain the drivers and impacts in the agricultural sector.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of spatial and enterprise concentration in the agricultural sector.
Global Value Chains
Exhibits a deep understanding of global value chains, can identify the key actors and their roles, and can analyse the power dynamics and economic relationships within these chains, and also how it influences the global distribution of food and resources.
Shows a solid grasp of the concept of global value chains. Can explain the different stages and key players involved and can identify how it influence food distribution.
Understands the basic concept of global value chains, but may lack detail on the specific relationships or power dynamics.
Has a limited understanding of global value chains and is unable to explain the key stages or the main actors, or how they influence food distribution.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of global value chains.
Concentration (business level)
Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the concept of business concentration, including metrics like the Hirschmann-Herfindahl Index (HHI), can evaluate how concentration affects competition, and explain the impact on market power and pricing.
Shows a strong understanding of how to measure concentration, using tools like the HHI and can explain its effect on competition and market dynamics, including how it affects pricing and availability.
Shows a reasonable understanding of business concentration, but may not grasp the nuances of the measures used, such as the HHI or the implications for competitiveness.
Has a basic understanding of the concept of business concentration but is unable to explain how to measure it or its impact on markets or market power.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of business concentration.
Spatial concentration
Exhibits a comprehensive understanding of spatial concentration, and can analyse the factors that cause geographic clustering of agricultural activities, its impact on regional development, and the vulnerability associated with the dependencies that arise.
Displays a solid understanding of how agricultural activities can be geographically concentrated, and how this influences the development of regions, and the potential impacts on trade and supply chain security.
Shows a reasonable understanding of spatial concentration, but may lack detail about the specific factors involved or their implications on regions.
Has a basic understanding of spatial concentration but struggles to explain the factors that lead to it or its impact.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of spatial concentration in the agricultural sector.
4. Basics of modelling agricultural markets. Modelling food markets
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of various modelling approaches (e.g. mathematical, graphical), their underlying assumptions, and their limitations. Can critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different models in different contexts, and apply models to real-world scenarios.
Shows a strong grasp of the fundamental concepts of agricultural and food market modelling, and can explain the basic structures and assumptions. Can apply these models to standard situations and identify their limitations.
Shows a reasonable understanding of the basics of market modelling, but may struggle with the details of different approaches, their assumptions, and their real world applications.
Has a basic awareness of market modelling, but struggles to explain the different approaches, their limitations, or their applications in a practical context.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the basics of agricultural and food market modelling.
Approaches / limits / applications
Exhibits a deep understanding of diverse modelling approaches, such as econometric, mathematical, and graphical models. Can articulate the specific limitations of each approach. Can thoroughly discuss a model's suitability for different research questions, policy analysis, and real-world applications.
Shows a solid grasp of the various approaches to modelling markets, their advantages and limitations. Can explain how to select the appropriate model depending on the context and what it is meant to analyse.
Understands the basic approaches to market modelling, but may struggle to distinguish between them, explain the specific limits of each approach, or how they apply to different situations.
Has a limited understanding of modelling approaches and struggles to identify their limits or their practical applications.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of different modelling approaches, their limits and applications in the agricultural sector.
Welfare Analysis
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of welfare analysis in the context of food markets. Can critically evaluate different measures of welfare (e.g., economic surplus), assess the distributional impacts of policy interventions, and interpret welfare changes within supply and demand frameworks.
Shows a strong grasp of welfare analysis, can explain the concept of economic surplus and how it is used to evaluate the outcomes of market transactions and policy impacts. Can illustrate how these changes are represented in supply and demand curves.
Shows a reasonable understanding of welfare analysis, but may struggle with the interpretation of economic surplus and its application to policy changes.
Has a basic understanding of welfare analysis but is unable to explain its principles in relation to market changes, and the implications of different policies.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of welfare analysis and how it applies to food markets.
Measuring Competitiveness
Exhibits a deep understanding of various methods used to measure competitiveness at the micro and macro levels. Can critically evaluate the usefulness and limitations of each indicator, and apply them in different contexts. Is able to analyse both price and non-price factors that influence competitiveness.
Shows a solid grasp of methods to measure competitiveness and can explain the major indicators. Can use the indicators to analyse the competitiveness of a specific industry or country.
Understands the basic approaches for measuring competitiveness, but may struggle to apply them correctly or interpret the results in a meaningful way.
Has a basic understanding of competitiveness, but is unable to explain the different methods used to measure it or how to interpret the results.
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the concept of competitiveness and its measurement.
There are no rows in this table
Economic Literacy - Competent above 3.5
Demonstrates accurate understanding and use of core economic concepts, but uneven understanding and use of advanced concepts
Analytical Thinking - Competent above 3.5
Central idea is clear but somewhat simplistic, obvious, and/or superficial
Demonstrates adequate understanding of economic theories sufficient to the purpose with defendable assumptions that lends itself to useful conclusions
Analysis uses competent quantitative techniques appropriate to the problem and accepted in the discipline.
Critical Thinking - Accomplished above 2.5
Demonstrated sophisticated understanding of the impact of assumptions, parameters, and robustness of the results presented, and the robustness of the result is very high.
Analytical Thinking - Accomplished above 2.5
Thesis or central idea is clear, compelling, arguable, original, and complex.
Analytical framework demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of economic theories with insightful assumptions that lends itself to convincing conclusions.
Analysis uses innovative quantitative techniques that demonstrate a creative approach to the problem.
Quantitative Skills - Accomplished above 2.5 + Competent above 3.5
Application of innovative mathematical and econometrics tools to analyze economicproblems.
Application of mathematical and econometrics tools were sufficient and appropriate to analyze economic problems.
Application of innovative mathematical and econometrics tools to analyze economicproblems.
Original dataset is used to analyze the problemunder study. Collected sufficient data observations from reliable sources that aresuitable for econometric analysis.
Able toorganize and manipulate data for conducting economic analysis. Understood limitations of thedata.
Graphs, figures and tables presented in the thesis provide key insights into the investigation; theyrepresent a sophisticated visual description ofthe data and the results of the empirical analysis
Thesis presents sophisticated use of statistical methods and statistical software in the empiricalanalysis.
Communication Skills - Accomplished above 2.5
• (Written) Focused and logical development of ideas throughout • (Written) Writing is well‐organized and structured with fully developed introduction and conclusion, cohesive paragraphs, effective organization, and smooth transitions throughout. • (Written) Highly proficient and complex use of English language • (Written) Communication is finely tuned for its intended audience and purpose with an appropriate level of technical detailand intuitive interpretation in discussing analysis and presenting conclusions

Skills and Levels Required for Achieving Learning Outcomes and Concept Mastery

Based on the MSECON Rubric (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) and the Grading Rubric for the Course, I mapped the necessary skills and their proficiency levels to match the expected learning outcomes and knowledge areas.
1. Knowledge About Food Markets
Table 40
Learning Outcome / Concept
Required Skills
Minimum Proficiency Level
Describe key European and global agricultural and food markets
Economic Literacy (accurate understanding of core economic concepts, market structures, trade flows, trends)
Competent (2)
Explain the impact of interdependencies between agricultural and food markets
Analytical Thinking (clear central idea, framework based on economic theories)
Competent (2) – Accomplished (3)
Analyze developments in agricultural and food markets using economic theories
Critical Thinking (evaluating impact of different economic models, robustness of results)
Accomplished (3)
Understand pricing systems in food markets
Quantitative & Statistical Skills (apply econometric tools, interpret price trends and elasticities)
Competent (2) – Accomplished (3)
Identify relevant actors/companies in food markets
Economic Literacy (market structure knowledge, supply chain understanding)
Competent (2)
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2. Institutional Framework and Trade

Table 41
Learning Outcome / Concept
Required Skills
Minimum Proficiency Level
Describe the WTO framework and its role in trade
Economic Literacy (understanding legal frameworks, trade agreements)
Competent (2)
Understand and evaluate tariff barriers
Analytical & Quantitative Thinking (analyze impact of tariffs, model trade distortions)
Competent (2) – Accomplished (3)
Understand and evaluate non-tariff barriers (NTBs)
Critical Thinking (analyzing trade distortions, policy effectiveness)
Accomplished (3)
Differentiate between private and public standards
Economic Literacy (market regulations, compliance structures)
Competent (2)
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3. Industry Concentration and Value Chains

Table 42
Learning Outcome / Concept
Required Skills
Minimum Proficiency Level
Analyze spatial and enterprise concentration in agri-food sectors
Statistical Skills (HHI, firm-level concentration measures, spatial economics)
Accomplished (3)
Understand global value chains and coordination mechanisms
Analytical Thinking (mapping dependencies, trade relationships)
Competent (2) – Accomplished (3)
There are no rows in this table

4. Analytical Frameworks for Market Modeling

Table 43
Learning Outcome / Concept
Required Skills
Minimum Proficiency Level
Apply modeling techniques to food markets
Quantitative & Statistical Skills (econometric analysis, graphical/mathematical models)
Accomplished (3)
Evaluate welfare effects under different assumptions
Critical Thinking & Quantitative Analysis (policy evaluation, impact assessment)
Accomplished (3)
There are no rows in this table

Summary of Key Required Skills

Economic Literacy (Core knowledge of markets, trade frameworks, institutions)
Analytical Thinking (Applying economic theories to real-world market structures)
Critical Thinking (Evaluating robustness of assumptions, policy alternatives)
Quantitative Skills (Mathematical and econometric modeling, elasticity estimation)
Statistical Skills (Data manipulation, visual representation, reliability assessment)
Communication Skills (Presenting and structuring economic findings clearly)
To achieve high-level mastery (1.0-1.5, "Sehr gut"), a student needs to demonstrate Accomplished (3) proficiency in Analytical, Critical Thinking, and Quantitative Skills, particularly when evaluating policies, modeling markets, and interpreting trade mechanisms.

Required Skills and Proficiency Levels for Learning Outcomes

Table 44
Learning Outcome
Required Skills
Proficiency Level
Describe key European and global agricultural and food markets
- Economic Literacy (understanding market structures, key players, trends)
Competent (2)
- Analytical Thinking (identifying factors influencing markets)
Competent (2)
Explain the impact of interdependencies between agricultural and food markets
- Critical Thinking (evaluating intermarket relationships, identifying causal links)
Accomplished (3)
- Economic Literacy (understanding how markets interact)
Competent (2)
Analyze developments on agricultural and food markets based on economic theories
- Analytical Thinking (applying models to real-world market changes)
Accomplished (3)
- Quantitative Skills (using econometric/statistical tools for market analysis)
Competent (2) – Accomplished (3)
Describe the basic framework for international trade provided by the WTO
- Economic Literacy (understanding WTO rules, agreements, and trade policies)
Competent (2)
- Analytical Thinking (assessing the role of WTO mechanisms in trade disputes)
Competent (2)
Explain the relevance and international framework of NTB in agricultural and food markets
- Critical Thinking (distinguishing legitimate NTBs from protectionist measures)
Accomplished (3)
- Economic Literacy (understanding trade restrictions, compliance structures)
Competent (2)
Evaluate the welfare effects of NTB under different assumptions
- Critical Thinking (assessing economic impacts of NTBs on stakeholders)
Accomplished (3)
- Quantitative & Statistical Skills (applying models to measure welfare impacts)
Accomplished (3)
Comprehend the difference between private and public standards in world agricultural and food markets
- Economic Literacy (understanding regulatory differences and trade implications)
Competent (2)
- Analytical Thinking (evaluating the role of private vs public standards)
Competent (2)
Explain and structure relevant actors of international agricultural and food markets
- Economic Literacy (knowledge of key stakeholders, supply chain structure)
Competent (2)
- Analytical Thinking (mapping actors and their roles in trade)
Competent (2) – Accomplished (3)
Explain the need for coordination within food value chains depending on product and value chain characteristics
- Analytical Thinking (assessing value chain dependencies and efficiency)
Accomplished (3)
- Economic Literacy (understanding logistics and coordination mechanisms)
Competent (2)
Evaluate results of agricultural models
- Quantitative & Statistical Skills (interpreting economic models and their assumptions)
Accomplished (3)
- Critical Thinking (assessing robustness of model outcomes)
Accomplished (3)
Combine insights generated in class to a specific case and present/discuss in class
- Communication Skills (oral and written, presenting economic findings clearly)
Accomplished (3)
- Critical Thinking (synthesizing multiple economic concepts into a structured argument)
Accomplished (3)
There are no rows in this table

Key Observations:

Economic Literacy (Competent 2) is needed for all learning outcomes as a foundational skill.
Analytical Thinking (Accomplished 3) is critical for explaining interdependencies, evaluating NTBs, and structuring market actors.
Quantitative & Statistical Skills (Accomplished 3) are required for welfare analysis and interpreting agricultural models.
Critical Thinking (Accomplished 3) is essential for evaluating market policies, NTB effects, and synthesizing information for presentations.
Would you like me to format this into a document or refine any details further?

Key Points:

Market Models: The sources emphasize that models are simplified representations of reality, used to understand and predict market behaviour. Different types of models (e.g., graphical, mathematical) serve different purposes and have different limitations.
Welfare Analysis: Economic surplus is a key concept in welfare analysis. It allows the evaluation of the social benefits from market transactions and the impact of policies on different market actors.
Competitiveness: The sources highlight that competitiveness is a complex and multifaceted concept. It can be measured at both micro (firm-level) and macro (national or sector-level) levels, using various price and non-price indicators.
Analytical Diagrams: These are useful tools that depict the relationship between two variables while holding other variables constant. They are a useful starting point for economic analysis and are used to illustrate concepts like supply, demand, and equilibrium.
Econometrics: Econometrics is a statistical tool used to test and estimate economic relationships, often used to generate elasticities for models.
Key Points:
Concentration: The sources highlight concentration as a critical factor in the food industry, both in terms of enterprise size and geographical location. Concentration can significantly impact market power, competition, and the distribution of resources.
Global Value Chains: Understanding global value chains is essential for analysing the interconnectedness of the agricultural sector. These chains involve various actors, from input suppliers to retailers, each with distinct roles and power dynamics.
Hirschmann-Herfindahl Index (HHI): The HHI is a tool used to measure market concentration, where a higher index value indicates a higher degree of concentration. This index can help evaluate market competitiveness.
Spatial concentration: The geographical clustering of agricultural activities can lead to both benefits, such as regional specialisation, and risks, such as dependency on specific regions.
Upstream and Downstream Sectors: Understanding concentration in both the upstream (input supply) and downstream (processing, distribution, retail) sectors is vital to a comprehensive understanding of the food system.
Key Points:
WTO: The World Trade Organization is central to the legal framework of global food markets. It seeks to regulate trade through agreements and resolve disputes between member countries.
Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers: Tariffs are a common form of trade barrier, but non-tariff barriers, such as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, are increasingly important. Understanding these different types of barriers is crucial for analyzing market access.
Private Standards: Private standards are becoming more important in food markets. They often relate to sustainability, quality, and social responsibility.. Understanding the interplay between private and public standards is crucial.
Archive
Level 2 3–5 Displays elements of knowledge and understanding of economic principles, concepts and theories. Applies economic ideas and relates them to economic problems in context, although does not focus on the broad elements of the question. A narrow response; chains of reasoning are developed but the answer may lack balance
Level 3 6–8 Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and models. Ability to link knowledge and understanding in context using relevant and focused examples which are fully integrated. Economic ideas are carefully selected and applied appropriately to economic issues and problems. The answer demonstrates logical and coherent chains of reasoning.
—-
Assessment Rubric: Clarity: 0. The text shows no elements of linguistic and logical clarity. 1. Only a small fraction of the text is linguistically and logically clear. 2. Some parts of the text are linguistically and logically clear. 3. A majority of the text is linguistically and logically clear. 4. Most of the text is linguistically and logically clear. 5. The text shows an outstanding and excellent degree of linguistic and logical clarity. Structure: 0. The text has no obvious argumentative and strategic structure. 1. The text is slightly structured but doesn’t follow it consistently. 2. The text is written along some structure which can be identified occasionally. 3. The text follows a visible structure. 4. The text is well and plausibly structured. 5. The text is written along a clearly outlined and strictly followed logical, argumentative and strategic structure. Form: 0. The text is not formatted at all. 1. The text is presented employing a few basic format options. 2. The text layout contains some useful and/or appealing format choices. 3. The text is presented in a clear form most of the time. 4. The text format underlines the author’s message and supports the reading from beginning to end. 5. The text is formatted entirely in an outstandingly appealing way and guides the reader along the thread of thought. Knowledge: 0. The text does not reveal any of the author’s knowledge. 1. The text illustrates a very basic knowledge level of the author. 2. The text indicates that the author knows some of the concepts presented in class. 3. The text shows that the author has an understanding of required background knowledge. 4. The text incorporates knowledge that exceeds the required sources. 5. The text is based on profound background knowledge that the author must have acquired by active search from reliable sources. Plausibility: 0. The text is not at all plausible in its content and logic consistency and persuasiveness. 1. Only a few elements of the text are plausible. 2. Some of the presented points are plausible. 3. Most of the text content is logically and argumentatively plausible and persuasive. 4. The entire text is consistent, well-reasoned, and, thus, very plausible. 5. The text is highly convincing and plausible in its argumentation and analysis.
Clarity can be achieved in stages: • Organize your ideas into an argument with the help of an outline. • Define the important terms you will use. • State your hypothesis and proceed deductively to reach your conclusions. • Avoid excess verbiage. • Edit yourself, remove what is not needed, and keep revising until you get down to a simple, efficient way of communicating.

Rubric Econ major

PROFICIENCES
Accomplished - 1-2.5
Competent - 2.6-3.5
Developing - 3.6-4
Analytical
Thesis or central idea is clear, compelling, arguable, original, and complex.
Thesis/central idea is clear but somewhat simplistic, obvious, and/or superficial
Thesis/central idea may be absent or unclear or unfocused or confused

Analytical framework demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of economic theories with insightful assumptions that lends itself to convincing conclusions.
Framework demonstrates adequate understanding of economic theories sufficient to the purpose with defendable assumptions that lends itself to useful conclusions
Framework makes inappropriate or incomplete use of economic theory or uses assumptions that are unreasonable, and that does not lead to a useful conclusion

Analysis uses innovative quantitative techniques that demonstrate a creative approach to the problem.
Analysis uses competent quantitative techniques appropriate to the problem and accepted in the discipline.
Quantitative techniques are inappropriate to the problem or failed to make a substantial contribution to the problem
Critical Thinking
Demonstrated sophisticated understanding of the impact of assumptions, parameters, and robustness of the results presented, and the robustness of the result is very high.
Good understanding of the robustness of results, but robustness still vulnerable to the way the analysis was done.
Insufficient or erroneous explanation of the robustness of the result to the way the analysis was done.
Quantitative
Application of innovative mathematical and econometrics tools to analyze economic problems.
Application of mathematical and econometrics tools were sufficient and appropriate to analyze economic problems.
Formalmathematicaland/oreconometrictools were not applied, or tools applied were not appropriate to address the economic problems under study
Statistical
Original dataset is used to analyze the problem under study. Collected sufficient data observations from reliable sources that are suitable for econometric analysis. Able to
organize and manipulate data for conducting economic analysis. Understood limitations of the data.
Collectedenoughdataobservationsfromreliable sources that are suitable for econometric analysis. Was able to organize and manipulate data for conducting economic analysis. Understood limitations of the data.
Datacollectedisnotsuitableforeconometric analysis; or data was not collected from reliable sources; or data was not manipulated to be suitable for econometric analysis.

Graphs, figures and tables presented in the thesis provide key insights into the investigation; they represent a sophisticated visual description of the data and the results of the empirical analysis
Graphsandfigurespresentedinthethesis adequately accompany the investigation of the hypothesis being examined; they present an adequate visual description of the data and the results of the empirical analysis.
Graphsandfigurespresentedinthethesisdonot further the investigation; they are an inaccurate visual description of the data, and the results.

Thesis presents sophisticated use of statistical methods and statistical software in the empirical analysis.
Thesis presents adequate use of statistical methods and statistical software in the empirical analysis.
Thesis presents insufficient and inaccurate use of statistical methods and statistical software in the empirical analysis.
Economic Literacy
Demonstrates a complete, accurate, engaging, and insightful understanding of core and advanced economic concepts
Demonstrates accurate understanding and use of core economic concepts, but uneven understanding and use of advanced concepts
Shows inaccurate and incomplete understanding OR accurate but superficial understanding OR does not move beyond a simple summary and description of core economic concepts.

Cohesive, and comprehensive literature review that effectively articulates and communicates the relevant thesis and ideas of the literature reviewed
Cohesive and comprehensive literature review, but lacks effective communication and articulation of relevant dimensions.
Disorganized and incomplete literature review
Communication
(WrittenandOral)Focusedandlogical development of thesis/ideas throughout
(Written)Consistentlyandaccuratelyuses citations in all common styles (e.g., MLA , APA, Chicago, Turabian)
(Written) Writing is well‐organized and structured with fully developed introduction and conclusion, cohesive paragraphs, effective organization, and smooth transitions throughout.
(Written) Highly proficient and complex use of English language
(Written and Oral) Communication is finely tuned for its intended audience and purpose with an appropriate level of technical detail and intuitive interpretation in discussing
analysis and presenting conclusions
(Oral)Varied,engaging,andclearspeech
(Oral)Physicalmannerisaudience‐focused and complements the presentation without being a distraction
(Written and Oral) Maintains focus with minor logical lapses or unevenness in development of thesis/ideas
(Written) Some errors in use of citations or limited knowledge of various citation styles
(Written) Writing has identifiable and effective introduction and conclusion, unified paragraphs with some gaps in cohesion, some weak or rough transitions, or mild weaknesses in organization
(Written) Mostly correct use of English but lacking in complexity
(Written and Oral) Some aspect of communication may be inappropriate for the intended audience or purpose (lacking important technical aspects for expert audiences or too technical for lay audiences); provides a basic intuition
(Oral) Understandable speech with limited tonal variation
(Oral) Physical manner acknowledges the audience and is not overly distracting
(Written and Oral) Focus shifts or is lacking altogether; weak or illogical development of idea/argument
(Written) Many errors in citation format or inappropriate choice of citation format
(Written) Introduction and conclusion ineffective or absent, poor transitions hindering readability, and poor organization
(Written) Frequent errors in language use that impede readability
(Written and Oral) Communication significantly inappropriate for its intended audience or purpose and fails to provide an intuitive interpretation
(Oral) Speech is difficult to hear or understand, broken by fillers and/or very monotonal
(Oral) Physical manner ignores the audience and/or is a distraction from the speaker’s message
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