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. 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 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 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. 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. 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. Concentration (business level) 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 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.
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
Learning Outcome / Concept
Minimum Proficiency Level
2. Institutional Framework and Trade
Learning Outcome / Concept
Minimum Proficiency Level
3. Industry Concentration and Value Chains
Learning Outcome / Concept
Minimum Proficiency Level
4. Analytical Frameworks for Market Modeling
Learning Outcome / Concept
Minimum Proficiency Level
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
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. 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