Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for more than five decades has been one of the most important and truly common policies in the European Union. Main objectives of the CAP are to guarantee the European population with sufficient and safe food at reasonable prices and to provide a decent income for European farmers. Currently, a new reform of the CAP is under way in a turbulent period of the European Union.
Groupe de Bruges, in collaboration with SPERA (Interuniversity Centre for Studies on Economic, Rural and Environmental Policies) and Associazione Alessandro Bartola, has developed a comprehensive e-learning course on the CAP.
This e-course is aimed at updating the participants about CAP’s history, political context and current debate on the latest reforms in a modern and easily accessible way.
Numerous leading experts from all over Europe have contributed their knowledge and expertise to this course.
The course is intended mainly for the first year students registered in an academic institution in Europe in the fields of (agricultural) economics, (rural) sociology, agronomy, European Studies and political science. It can also be of interest to academic teachers, policy makers or people working for the NGOs or lobby organizations, providing an essential tool for all people that have a professional interest in the CAP.
Course Structure and Modules
You can either follow one or more of the course’s 8 modules or follow the whole course. In the latter case, you will be able to obtain an official certificate.
Each module has the same structure: an entry test, one or two lessons/lectures and a final test. Each module also offers an extensive list of references. At any point students have the possibility to consult on line with one of the three available tutors. The forum section also offers the option to discuss items with the tutors or fellow students.
Modules of the Course
- History of the CAP from its beginnings to the Health Check of the CAP
- Theories on markets, regulation, liberalization and public goods
- The current CAP – The first pillar
- The current CAP – The second pillar: the Rural Development Policy
- The CAP in an international context
- Decision making and budgetary framework of the CAP
- The new post 2013 CAP
- Academic perspective on open issues. The stakeholders’ views on the CAP and its future
Course costs
This e-course is free of charge owing to funding from the European Commission and the French Fondation Léopold Mayer pour le Progrés de l’Homme. However, students/participants that have successfully completed the whole course can receive a passing certificate by making a payment of 50 euros towards administrative costs.
How to register and timeframe
Participants can register for this course at any time beginning November 1, 2011.
For more information, visit this link.
