The material that is applicable for doing the optional courses

- Learn in depth theoretical concepts of institutional economics - Learn about agrarian organizations - Learn to understand and analyse the economic and social problems that are characteristic of rural areas in developing countries using the analytical categories of institutional economics. - Ability to work in team - Develop the ability to write short essays using the basic rules of scientific works - Develop the capacity to debate and question opinions with academic rigour - Develop the ability to formalize and measure economic phenomena, and contrast it using scientific hypothesis

Program: Introduction to Rural Societies and Development Land Tenure Systems in Rural Areas Land Redistribution and Agrarian Reform Agricultural Productivity and Technological Change. Food Security in Rural Communities Market Access and Value Chains in Developing Countries Cooperatives and Rural Development Rural Finance and Microcredit Gender in Rural Societies Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management.

Theoretical knowledge will be acquired by: - Lectures that will provide the major theoretical and practical concepts that students are expected to acquire. - Complementary bibliography and readings will be available to students to further their knowledge of those subjects where they have greatest interest. - Discussion of articles, exercises and problems given by the teacher, and encouraging the active participation of students to solve them, either individually or in groups. Acquisition of abilities and skills through:- - Writing a short essay on the literature concerning one of the course topics - Class presentations by the student of their work, and a class discussion with other students.