Postgraduate Course: Politics and Theories of International Development (Distance Learning) (PGSP11318)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course presents the main social scientific theories which have underpinned international development since the 1950s. It follows the historical evolution of dominant and alternative theories which seek to explain economic, social and political transformation in developing countries over the last sixty years, critically analysing the premises upon which these theories are built. These theories emerged within complex international political contexts and we go on to explore how international, governmental and non-governmental actors and institutions engage with development theories as they seek to shape development debates and to translate theory into workable strategies and frameworks. |
| Course description |
This course explores the politics and theories of development by analysing the dominant and alternative approaches that seek to explain development outcomes and the actors and institutions involved. It offers an introduction, overview and critical analysis of the forces shaping international development.
Students will gain familiarity with the major cultural, economic and political theories of 'development' and 'underdevelopment' and the debates about these concepts internationally. The course will enable students to analyse development from multiple points of view, promoting an understanding of the diversity and complexity of interactions amongst political, economic and social actors. By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of the key development policy debates and approaches since World War II
Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of the key development policy debates and approaches since World War II
Understand key concepts and theories related to international development and development studies
Analyse and assess the ideologies behind and impacts of particular macro approaches to development
Key Course Modules :
1. Rethinking the Notion of Development
2. Development, Modernisation and Dependency
3. Neoliberalism and Development
4. Governance, Development and the Post-Washington Consensus
5. Human Rights and Rights-Based Approaches
6. Roles of the State and Industrial Planning
7. Debates on Foreign Aid
8. Sustainability and development
9. Gender and other inequalities
Student Learning Experience
This course is taught entirely online in a virtual learning platform called Learn. The course is delivered asynchronously through a mix of short video lectures that will draw upon expertise from across the university and a range of interactive online activities such as blogs, fora, online quizzes etc.
The course is designed to equip people already working in development or people wishing to work in development, with the tools, knowledge and skills to engage with complex problems and relationships between politics, economics, society, culture and environment.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
| Course Start Date |
20/09/2021 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
70% of the course assessment will be based on a final essay (3000 words)
Contributions to online discussion forums and reflections:
20% of the course assessment will be based on a student selected example of their two best submissions to the online etivities (ranging from 700 to 1000 words).
10% based on participation in weekly discussion forum. |
| Feedback |
Students receive feedback on an essay plan within 10 days of submission. Students are required to reflect upon their feedback in order to improve their final coursework. Students also have the opportunity to discuss their ideas in a group skype seminar session prior to the final submission date for their summative assessment.
There may be some overlap in the issues that you focus on in the various courses, so you should pay careful attention to the topics you select. It is important that you do not duplicate your work. Students will have the opportunity to select a pre-written essay question or come up with their own essay topics in some cases; essays on self-selected topics need to be previously agreed with the Course Organiser.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key theories of development of the past fifty years and be able to explain how they relate to each other.
- Apply the analytical toolbox gained in the course (knowledge, skills, and understanding) to academic and day-to-day engagement with research and news about international development. Be able to de-construct international development myths
- Critically analyse, synthesize, and evaluate research and contemporary debates about global development solutions.
- Be able to communicate your analysis of global development issues to a lay and academic audience.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kevin Donovan
Tel:
Email: kevin.donovan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Maria Brichs
Tel: (0131 6)51 3205
Email: mbrichs@ed.ac.uk |
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