APME66-Consumer Policy

Module Provider: Agr and Food Econ
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mr Nick Walker
Email: n.walker@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Learn how globalisation, consumerism, and EU law have influenced the growth of the regulatory state in the UK and identify the changes in the theory and practice of regulation of consumer markets. Develop a sound theoretical framework, through market failure analysis and behavioural economics, to understand the rationales for consumer policy and techniques of regulation. Explore ways to empower and protect consumers when buying products and services in different sectors, e.g. in the case of unfair advertising, post-purchase quality problems, or health and safety issues. Learn through lectures, preparatory research, participation in class discussions, and groupwork on specific consumer ethics and policy issues and case studies.

Aims:

The key objective of this module is to provide students with a basic understanding of how the concepts of ethics, globalisation, consumerism and EU law have influenced the growth of new regulatory state in the UK as well as changes in the theory and practice of regulation of consumer markets. Market failure analysis and behavioural economics will provide students with a theoretical framework to better understand rationales for consumer policy and techniques of regulation. The module also faces the issue of how to empower and protect consumers when buying products and services in different sectors, and in the case of unfair advertising, post-purchase quality problems, and health and safety issues ÌýFinally, this course uses a wide range of examples and case studies form different contexts to explore and analise overriding questions about consumer markets and businesses practices.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

• identify factors influencing frameworks and forms of regulation of consumer markets.


• explain rationales for consumer law and policy.


• articulate and criticise how to empower and protect consumers on a variety of contemporary issues with reference to specific sectors.

Additional outcomes:

To demonstrate debating skills and construct logical arguments based on a wide variety of consumer policy related issues.

Outline content:

• The development of new consumer regulation in the UK.


• Global and European influences.


• Rationales for consumer law and policy.


• Frameworks and forms of regulation of consumer markets.


• Ethics and regulation in different sectors and contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will consist of a series of ten two-hour lectures and group work Ìýand debates on specific consumer ethics and policy issues. Students will be expected to undertake preparatory research, to work in groups and participate in the preparation and discussion of different case studies.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will have a multiple-choice test (30%) as well as one individual report (70%).

Formative assessment methods:

Case studies are used to enhance students’ understanding and knowledge about the issues that need to be taken into account when talking about consumers’ protection and policy making.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: