Department of Economics and Management, University of Helsinki
Courses available for exchange and visiting students 2015-2016
The following courses are open for the exchange and visiting students at the Department of
Economics and Management, University of Helsinki. Please note, however, that these are
advanced level courses (MSc level) and the courses have certain prerequisites, i.e. your
previous studies (BSc level) need to provide the needed foundation for successful completion
of the courses. Please note that the latest information about the courses is found in WebOodi.
You can browse WebOodi without logging into the system, but you need to log in when you
want to register for the courses.
Autumn term, periods I-II
82321 Marketing and Customer Communication (NEUVO10), 5 ects credits, I period
82015 Economics of AgriFood Supply Chains (MPOL5), 5 ects credits, II period
81935 Market Institutions and Economic Behavior (Mark 23), 5 ects credits, II period
83049 Valuation of Environmental Benefits (YLE 22.3), 4 credits, period I-II
Spring term, periods III-IV
82316 Management and Leadership in Extension (NEUVO5), 5 ects credits, III/IV period
82321 Marketing and Customer Communication (NEUVO10), 5 ects credits, III period
851019 Current issues in consumer economics (KE63), 5 ects credits, IV period
81810 Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (MAL7), 3 credits, IV period
82001 Agricultural and rural policy of the European Union (MPOL1), 5 ects credits, III period
82008 Economics of Agriculture and Agricultural Policy (MPOL4), 7 credits, IV-period
82064 International agricultural trade and trade theory (MPOL18), 7 credits
80128 Social Change in Russian countryside" (MMTAL15), 4 credits
Autumn term, periods I-II
Marketing and Customer Communication (NEUVO10), 3-5 ects credits
82321
Timing: Fall term I period and spring term III-IV period.
Objective: Increased knowledge about marketing, communication theories, brand and image building, consumer education
and selling
techniques
Contents: Lectures, visits and an individual essay of a marketing communication case to be completed in two months after the
course from student’s home country.
Study materials and literature: Westermarck, H. 2014. Marketing and Customer Communication. University of Helsinki,
Department of Economics and Management.
Completion: Contact teaching 30, practical work 10, group work 10, self study 85 hours.
Evaluation: Individual essays, Interview of a communication specialist a marketing communication specialist and sales person
in student’s own country in two months’ time after the course. Attendance is required.
Responsible person: Professor emeritus Harri Westermarck
Other information: In English. Pre-registration by WebOodi
Economics of Agrifood Supply Chains (MPOL5) 5 ects credits
82015
Timing: The course is organised every year in the autumn term, II. period.
Objective: Students will have an understanding, how food supply chains are organised and function and how globalization of
the food sector translates to Europe. The objective is to learn to find, analyse and interpret statistical information on the food
chains including characteristic features such as production and market structures, trade etc. by calculating indicators of market
shares, concentration, self sufficiency and foreign trade performance. The course exercise is a comparative research of
selected countries and agrifood subsectors in which both research and presentation skills will be practiced.
Contents: The course includes the introduction of the basic terminology of agri-food sectors, globalisation, foreign trade,
foreign direct investment and competitiveness. Special emphasis will be given to the transitions economies i.e. new member
states’ food sector development (EU Eastern enlargements in 2004 and 2007). Segments of the food supply chain such as
agricultural input supply, agricultural production, food industry, food retail and consumption and the relations and commodity
flows among them will be discussed in detail by using the examples of four large chains, i.e. the grain, oilseed, meat and dairy
chain.
Study material and literature:
The basic textbook for the course is:
·
Hansen, H.0. 2013. Food Economics: Industry and Markets. Routledge, 448p.
·
Other materials will be distributed during the course.
Completion: C42 - E 30 - I 60
Evaluation: Course exercise 40 % – examination 60 %.
Responsible person: PhD Csaba Jansik
Other information: The course is lectured in English. It belongs to the EU undergraduate programme (EUG2).
Market Institutions and Economic Behavior (MARK23), 5 ects credits, II period
81935
Timing: The course is recommended for third year students and after preliminary economics studies. Autumn term II period,
intensive course.
Objective: After the course the participants are able to analyse the functioning of markets and the role of institutions in market
performance.
Contents: The course aims at widening participants view about marketing at macro level. The course analyses how human
behaviour and rules of exchange influence market performance. Also limits of markets as well as alternative forms of exchange
will be discussed.
Study materials and literature : Will be announced later.
Preconditions: The course includes a pre-assignment that has to be completed before entering the course. Instructions for the
assignment will be sent to assigned students prior to the course.
Completion : Course activity, presentations, Journal File, written exam
Responsible person: Professor, university lecturer Petri Ollila
Valuation of Environmental Benefits (YLE 22.3) 4 ects credits
83049
Timing: Autumn term, period I-II. Offered odd-numbered years.
Objective: Students learn to identify environmental benefits and to explain the theoretical framework of economic valuation.
After the course students are able to apply non-market valuation methods and also to do basic data analysis.
Contents : Use of valuation methods in different contexts; history of non-market valuation methods; survey techniques,
contingent valuation, choice experiment, travel cost method, hedonic pricing, and benefit transfer. Assignments on survey
design and the processing the data.
Study materials and literature: A Primer in Nonmarket Valuation. Edited by Champ, P. A., Boyle, K. J., and Brown, T. C. 2003.
Kluwer Academic Publishers and other material to be delivered..
Completion:Contact teaching 18, lab 6, group work 20, self study 37 hours
Evaluation: Essays and assignments
Responsible person: University Lecturer Mika Rekola
Relations to other study units: Prerequisites: YLE4 or corresponding courses. Admission to the course requires successful
completion of the literature pre-test.
Other information: Teaching in English. Opetus järjestetään englanniksi.
Spring term, periods III-IV
Management and Leadership in Extension (NEUVO5), 5 ects credits, I period
82316
Timing: Spring term, III/IV period, intensive course.
Objective: After the course student understands the concept of change agent systems leadership and management theories
knowledge management
Contents: Networking research, education and extension, corporate image, performance appraisals, leadership theories,
extension systems in different countries. An optional study trip.
Study materials and literature: Westermarck, H. 2014. Extension, leadership and communication. University of Helsinki,
Department of Economics and Management.
Completion: Contact teaching 40, practical work 20, self study 75 hours. Study Trip to Tallinna University Estonia.
Evaluation: Report on the study trip and optional literature. Individual essay on leadership in a service organisation in student’s
home country an two months’s time after the course. Attendance is required.
Responsible person: Professor emeritus Harri Westermarck
Other information: In English. Pre-registration by WebOodi.
Marketing and Customer Communication (NEUVO10), 3-5 ects credits
82321
Timing: Fall term I period and spring term III-IV period.
Objective: Increased knowledge about marketing, communication theories, brand and image building, consumer education
and selling
techniques
Contents: Lectures, visits and an individual essay of a marketing communication case to be completed in two months after the
course from student’s home country.
Study materials and literature: Westermarck, H. 2014. Marketing and Customer Communication. University of Helsinki,
Department of Economics and Management.
Completion: Contact teaching 30, practical work 10, group work 10, self study 85 hours.
Evaluation: Individual essays, Interview of a communication specialist a marketing communication specialist and sales person
in student’s own country in two months’ time after the course. Attendance is required.
Responsible person: Professor emeritus Harri Westermarck
Other information: In English. Pre-registration by WebOodi
Current issues in consumer economics (KE63) 5 ects credits
851019
Ajoitus: spring
Tavoite: Seminar in english. Students are encouraged to improve their skills in oral and written English. Attendance is required.
Suoritustavat: Oral and written presentations and discussions on current issues in consumer economics.
Oppimateriaali ja kirjallisuus: Heinonen, V. & Peltonen, M., eds. (2013): Finnish Consumption. An Emerging Consumer
Society between East and West. Helsinki: SKS.
Arviointi: Oral and written presentations
Vastuuhenkilö: Professor Visa Heinonen
Lisätiedot: Limited attendance. The course is primary for students of Consumer Economics and Department of Economics and
Management.
Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (MAL7) 3 ects credits
81810
Timing: IV period
Objective: The course is an introductory course to sustainable agriculture and rural development with main focus on
developing countries. Sustainability of farming systems and food security are analysed from the point of poverty reduction.
Other items covered include co-operatives, microfinance, multifunctionality, responsible investment, women in agriculture,
climate change and policy of Gross National Happiness. Students acquire an understanding of the issues related to sustainable
agricultural and rural development.
Contents: How to solve the world food problem, at least partially. Elementary knowledge of the developmental and
environmental problems related to sustainable agriculture. Some of the main sustainable agriculture issues and economical
and social analysis of them. After the course students are assumed to grasp the central development economics concepts and
issues applied to agriculture in the south.
Study material and literature: A reading list will be provided
Evaluation: The grading is based on the diary exam.
Evaluation: Diary exam
Responsible person: Professor John Sumelius
Agricultural and rural policy of the European Union (MPOL1) 5 ects credits
82001
Timing: The course is organised every year in the spring term, III. period.
Preciding studies: MAE1
Objective: The aim is to learn and understand the objectives, means and impacts of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and
rural development programmes, in terms of both agriculture and society and economy as a whole, and both the EU, Finland
and the world.
Contents: Overview of the background and origins, development and future visions of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy
and rural development programmes in the framework of economics and the new political economy.
Study material and literature:
·
Hill, B. 2012. Understanding the Common Agricultural Policy. Earthscan from Routledge, London.
·
Pavlickova, K. 2013. The Common Agricultural Policy in 2014-2020. Lambert Academic Publishing, Saarbrücken,
Germany.
·
Baldwin, R. & Wyplosz, C. 2012. Economics of European Integration (4th ed.). Chapter 9 “The Common Agricultural
Policy”. McGraw-Hill Education, UK. 560 pp.
·
Oskam, A., Meester, G. & Silvis, H. (eds.) 2010. EU Policy for Agriculture, Food and Rural Areas. Wageningen
Academic Publishers. pp. 435.
·
Tangermann, S. & von Cramon-Taubadel, S. 2013. Agricultural policy in the European Union: An overview. Working
Paper. University of Goettingen. [online]
·
European Commission. 2013. Overview of CAP Reform 2014-2020. 2013. [online]
·
European Parliament. 2014. Directorate-General fir Internal Policies, Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion
Policies, Agriculture. “CAP 2014-2020 tools to enhance family farming: opportunities and limits” In-Depth Analysis.
[online]
·
Other materials will be distributed during the course.
Completion: C 42 - E 40 - I 50
Evaluation: Exercises 50 %, final examination 50 %.
Responsible person: prof. Anthony Rezitis
Other information: The course is lectured in English. It belongs to the EU undergraduate programme (EUG1).
Economics of Agriculture and Agricultural Policy (MPOL4) 7 ects credits
82008
Timing: The course is organised every year in the spring term, IV. period.
Previous studies: Y55, MAE1, MPOL1
Objective: To understand the essential principles of price theory and price formation and to have an ability to examine and
analyse the factors affecting the demand and supply of agricultural and food products. Complete command of elasticities, and
basic knowledge of econometrics. By the methods learned in the course, students are able to analyse economic effects of
agricultural policies and compare the efficiency of different policy systems.
Contents: Special characteristics of price formation and of supply and demand of agricultural and food products. Several
different instruments and impacts as well as price systems are also examined. Demand and supply analyses, cost-benefit
analysis and welfare economics are employed as major theories and methods to assess the economic effects of the goals and
means of agricultural policies.
Study material and literature:
·
Norwood, B. & Lusk, J. 2008. Agricultural Marketing and Price Analysis . Prentice Hall. 464 pp.
·
Hill, B. 2014. An Introduction to Economics: Concepts for Students of Agriculture and the Rural Sector (4th ed.) CABI
Publishing. 256 pp.
·
Tomek , W. G. & Robinson, K. L. 2003. Agricultural Product Prices.
·
Baldwin, R. & Wyplosz, C. 2012. Economics of European Integration (4th ed.). Chapter 9 “The Common Agricultural
Policy”. McGraw-Hill Education, UK. 560 pp.
·
European Parliament. 2014. Directorate-General for Internal Policies, Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion
Policies, Agriculture. “CAP 2014-2020 tools to enhance family farming: opportunities and limits” In-Depth Analysis.
[online]
·
European Commission. 2013. Overview of CAP Reform. Agricultural Policy Perspectives Brief, No 5/December 2013.
·
Other materials will be distributed during the course.
Completion: K 38 - H 40 - R 20 - I 89
Evaluation: Exercises 40 %, examination 60 %.
Responsible person: prof. Anthony Rezitis
Other information: The course is lectured in English.
International agricultural trade and trade theory (MPOL18) 7 ects credits
82064
Timing: In spring terms 2016 and 2018.
Objective: To increase students’ understanding of the role of trade policy in agriculture and the effects of various trade policies,
issues and agreements on domestic and international competition and prices, consumption, production, trade, and the welfare
of producers and consumers. Give students the opportunity to enhance their analytical skills.
Contents: Course material will cover theoretical and practical issues of international trade in agricultural commodities. The first
part of the course will focus on economic theories which help us to explain why, what, and with whom nations trade. Next the
course will address protectionism, trade restrictions, agricultural trade disputes, and economic integration. The economic and
political considerations underlying trade policy and its agricultural-trade applications will be developed. The impact of current
trade topics and negotiations on agricultural and agribusiness firms and industries will be explored.
Study material and literature:
·
Koon, W.W. & Kennedy, P.L. 2005. International trade and agriculture. Blackwell Publishing.
·
Houck, J. Elements of agricultural trade policies. 191 p. 1992
·
Other materials will be distributed during the course.
Completion: C 26 - E 86 - I 75
Evaluation: Course exercises and examination.
Responsible person: prof. Anthony Rezitis
Relations to other study units: Y56, MPOL1, MPOL4
Other information: The course is organized every second year. It is lectured in English.
Social Change in Russian countryside (MMTAL15) 4 ects credits
80128
Timing: Spring term, IV period
Objective: The course will give the student general picture of social and economic features in Russian agriculture and
countryside in general after communism, 1990-2015, and theoretical tools to analyse it.
Contents: The lectures describe the history from Soviet Union to Russia; compare post-Soviet transition in Russia and
Eastern Europe; list social problems in Russia, highlight incomes and poverty in Russia, discuss experiences of getting out of
poverty for instance with small entrepreneurship, national political programs, and local initiatives, and how some western
projects have succeeded in Russia. Also the consequences of economic sanctions, development of energy prices and
Ukrainian Crises will be up-dated as far as rural development is concerned.
Students' papers may concern Russian countryside or compare it to some previously socialist country.