US Agricultural Policy
AGEC 460 – Spring 2014
School of Agriculture - Western Illinois University
INSTRUCTOR
Professor William C Bailey
Office Phone: 309/298-1522
Office: 318 Knoblauch
Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30 – 11:00; Wednesday 1:00 –
2:00; Thursday 9:30 – 11:00
Office Fax: 309/298-2280
E-mail: WC-Bailey@WIU.EDU
CLASS TIMES AND LOCATIONS
AGEC 460 will meet on Monday and Wednesday in KH308 from 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Examination of US agricultural policies, with an emphasis on current
farm legislation and regulation. Includes analysis of the impact of contemporary agricultural policies
on farming operations.
Prerequisites: AGRI220 or equivalent
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the history of U.S. agricultural policy, including the philosophies used to justify
government involvement in agriculture.
2. Discuss how knowledge of contemporary agricultural policy issues is useful to professionals
employed in a variety of agriculture-related occupations.
3. Outline the agriculture policy process, including the groups involved, used to develop
agricultural and food policy.
4. Describe the availability of resources (especially online resources) pertaining to agricultural
policy formation and analysis useful for remaining informed on important agricultural policy
issues.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
Participation: Students are expected to regularly attend class and to actively participate in discussions.
Academic Integrity: The rules and regulations outlined in the University's policy on academic integrity
are applied to this course.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Detailed information regarding student rights and responsibilities
can be found at http://www.wiu.edu/provost/student/. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the
posted information.
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Special Accommodations: If you need special accommodations, please feel free to stop by and discuss
your needs or contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512.
USE OF CELLULAR PHONES AND PAGERS
As a courtesy to other students and to the instructor, all cell phones and pagers should be turned off
prior to class. Continued disregard of this policy may result in ejection from the course. If, due to
medical or public safety concerns, a student needs an exception to this policy he/she should inform the
instructor prior to class. Cell phones are not to be used under any circumstances on exams. Texting is
not allowed during class and repeated violations will lead to dismissal from the course with an
assigned grade of F.
IMPORTANT DATES
January 20 – Martin Luther King Holiday
Feb 12 – Abraham Lincoln Birthday
Mar 10 -14 – Spring Break
May 5, 3:00 PM – Final Exam
GRADING POLICY
The course grade will be based on the following factors, with weightings as indicated:
Exam I
30 %
Comprehensive Final Exam 40 %
Quizzes and homework
30 %
Total
100%
Grade breaking points may be lowered but in no case will they be raised. These breaking points will
be evaluated only after final numerical grades have been calculated.
Attention Education Majors: The changes within the state certification requirements, which go into
effect immediately for all of those students who graduate in the spring 2012 and after, you are required
to receive a grade of a "C" or better in this course in order to meet these new requirements. With the
new university +/- grading system, receiving a "C-" or below will require you to retake this course or
find a substitute course to meet School of Agriculture graduation requirements.
QUIZZES
The instructor reserves the right to use both announced and unannounced quizzes. The lowest
quiz/homework score will be dropped. Only excused absences will be allowed to make up quizzes.
Unless there is an emergency, only excused absences approved in advance will be excused. It is at the
discretion of the instructor as to whether an absence is excused or unexcused.
HOMEWORK
Homework will focus on understanding key concepts with heavy reliance on graphing and problem
solving. Students are strongly encouraged to work on their own before checking their answers with
other students. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be docked 10%
per day. Assignments will not be accepted after the problem set has been discussed in class.
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EXAMS
There will be 1 exam during the semester and one final exam. Exams will consist mostly of short
answers and problem solving. The final will be comprehensive. Makeup exams will be given only in
extreme situations.
COURSE OUTLINE
Jan 13 – Week 1 – What is agricultural public policy?
Jan 20 – Week 2 – How is the past relevant to today's policy issues? Watch “The Dust Bowl”
Jan 27 – Week 3 – Understanding farm policy
Feb 3 – Week 4- What are today's key farm problems and what is the “farm bill”?
Feb 10 – Week 5 – Continued
Feb 17 – Week 6 – What is domestic farm policy and how does it work, especially through the farm
bill?
Feb 24 – Week 7 – Additional farm policy issues
Mar 3 – Week 8 – Review and Exam I
Mar 10 – Spring Break
Mar 17 – Week 9 – What are the policy issues related to world hunger and sustainable agriculture?
Mar 24 – Week 10 – What are the key trade policy issues for US agriculture?
Mar 31 – Week 11 – Continued
April 7 – Week 12 – What are other key policy issues affecting agriculture and rural America? (Rural,
natural resources/environment, general economy, immigration, agribusiness)
April 14 – Week 13 – Continued
April 21 – Week 14 – What is the future for agricultural policy issues in the US?
April 28 – Week 15 – Review
May 5 – Finals Week – Final Exam
Please be advised that this syllabus is tentative. All classes are different and we may or may not be
able to address all of the content areas or stick with the anticipated number of exams. Any deviations
from the syllabus will be announced as soon as possible.
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