Issues in Supply Chain Management

Overview

Learners in this course will examine global trade agreements -- including policies, barriers, and regulations -- of agricultural commodities, and discuss implications of world and economic disruptions on the food supply chain. Throughout this course, learners will also discuss issues of sustainability, technology, and the environment as it relates to the supply and distribution of food products. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES or the Gies College of Business. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

Syllabus

ORIENTATION & MODULE 1 | Global Trade

In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. In the second part of this module, you will explore global trade to identify the types of agricultural commodities, explain global trade policies and considerations specific to agricultural commodities, and examine the impact of global currencies on trade.

MODULE 2 | Global Trade Issues

In this module, you will describe the purposes and impacts of agricultural trade agreements and examine the barriers to global agricultural trade.

MODULE 3 | Supply Chain Issues of the Future

In this module, you will describe the growth of agricultural commodities in South America, examine implications of world and economic disruptions on the production and trade of commodities, and compare the demand for food products between developed and developing countries.

MODULE 4 | Technologies of the Future

In this module, you will identify and describe the impact of technologies on food production, consumption, and demand. You will also discuss the opportunities and threats of feeding the world while also sustainably producing and distributing food and food products. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!