Introduction to Global Development

Key information

Start date
End date
Year of study
Year 1
Duration
Full
Module code
151010001
FHEQ Level
4
Credits
30
Department
Department of Development Studies

Module overview

This course is designed to introduce students to key issues and themes in international global development. Through taking this course, students will explore and engage with academic debates and discussions around a set of key factors that shape, influence and constrain the understanding, existence and experience of global development and its link to inequality and poverty. The teaching of Introduction to Global Development is organised in two terms: IGD: Concepts and Approaches in Global Development (term 1); and IGD: Contemporary issues in Global Development (term 2). In this first term, the course explores the evolution of global development paradigms and their critiques. Firstly, it looks at the evolution of ideas of development from the colonial to the post-colonial period, at the legacy of imperialism and racial capitalism, and it explores key development theories of modernisation, structuralism, and dependency. Secondly, it considers key contemporary debates; it analyses the rise of neoliberal governance; and introduces decolonial and feminist critiques. Finally, it explores the system of humanitarian assistance, and the relation between violence, conflict and development. In term 2, the course analyses global development institutions, their agendas, and the evolution of the neoliberal development architecture, and explores key themes in global development, including, aid, debt, environment, rural livelihoods, and migration and forced displacement. It introduces different conceptualisations of poverty and inequality, and their links with gender, class and race, and reflects on the role of NGOs, civil society and social movements in reinforcing, challenging or transgressing development narratives and outcomes. Through this course, overall, students will gain a solid background in the various factors that have shaped past and current theories and approaches to global development, and the key issues, themes and tensions characterising current debates, policies and politics.

Syllabus

Topics include:

  • Racial Capitalism, Colonialism and the Colonial Experience
  • Modernisation Theory, Dependency and Underdevelopment
  • Decolonial Approaches
  • Neoliberalism and Good Governance
  • Feminist Critiques to Development
  • The United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Aid and Humanitarian Assistance
  • Conflict and Development
  • Migration, Refugees and Displacement
  • Environment and Rural livelihoods
  • Poverty and inequality
  • NGOs and social movements

* Please note that the list of topics may change slightly in different academic years

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

On successful completion of this module, a student will be expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • An understanding of the changing definitions of development over the course of the twentieth century to the current day;
  • A critical understanding of how individual identities, global processes, and experiences shape poverty and create obstacles and challenges to, and opportunities for, development;
  • A critical understanding of the different ways in which poverty has been understood and the implications of those differences;
  • An understanding of the the different roles of development actors, and the debates about their role and impact;
  • An ability to used empirically formed analysis to identify gaps and tensions in the literature and academic debates;
  • An ability to engage in critical discussion and debate in a group, and to formulate ideas based upon key readings.

 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module a student will have:

  • An understanding of the changing definitions of development over the course of the twentieth century to the current day;
  • A critical understanding of how individual identities, global processes, and experiences shape poverty and create obstacles and challenges to, and opportunities for, development;
  • A critical understanding of the different ways in which poverty has been understood and the implications of those differences;
  • An ability to used empirically formed analysis to identify gaps and tensions in the literature and academic debates;

 

Method of assessment

100% coursework.  Resubmission of coursework regulations apply to this module.

 

Suggested reading

  • Veltmeyer, H. and Bowles, P. (eds.) (2021/22) The Essential Guide to Critical Development Studies. Abingdon: Routledge.
  • Rist G. (2019) The History of Development: From Western Origins to Global Faith (Development Essentials Edition) London: Zed (updated edition).
  • Kothari U. (2019) A Radical History of Development Studies: Individuals, Institutions and Ideologies. London: Zed (updated edition).

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules