Postgraduate Course: Politics and Theories of International Development (PGSP11240)
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) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Development has been primarily concerned with the economic transformation of countries considered to be less advanced than others. International development as we now know it emerged in the post-World War Two era, drawing on economic development theories from the 18th century onwards. Over time, however, international development has taken on new dimensions, encompassing social and political, as well as economic, transformation. Development is a profoundly political process, shaped by and shaping social actors and political institutions at local, national, regional and global levels.
This course explores the politics and theories of development by analysing the dominant and alternative social scientific theories 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. |
| Course description |
Outline Content:
Week 1: Development as a contested concept: origins and paradigms
Week 2: Catching-up: Modernisation and structural change
Week 3: Market liberalisation
Week 4: Developmental states
Week 5: Institutions and governance
Week 6: Globalisation and multilateralism
Week 7: Poverty
Week 8: Inequality
Week 9: Sustainability
Week 10: Freedom and capabilities
Student Learning Experience:
Weekly lectures (60 min) are followed by audio-visual materials and discussion activities (50 min). Students also meet for a 50-min. weekly tutorial. These groups will run in several time slots during the week. In week one, students will be assigned specific tutorial slots. Students will gain familiarity with the major cultural, economic and political theories of development and underdevelopment. The course will enable them to analyse the theory and practice of development in an informed and critical manner. It will promote an understanding of the diversity and complexity of interactions amongst political, economic and social actors involved in development. Doing the required readings and being actively involved in the course discussions and tutorials are essential components of the course learning experience.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 120 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
90 %,
Coursework
10 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Mini quizzes 10%
In-person exam 90% (2 hours) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Politics and Theories of International Development (PGSP11240) Exam | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of major theories and concepts that have shaped the field of international development, and the inter-relationships between them.
- Situate and evaluate these theories and concepts in relation to the political and economic contexts from which they emerged.
- Critically assess the connections between development theory and development policy and practice.
- Apply critical analysis to evaluate competing approaches to development, generating informed judgements on the merits of differing approaches.
- Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the diversity of actors involved in development processes.
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Reading List
Recommended Texts (most available on reserve/short loan from the HUB, Books marked 'E' also available as an e-book
Dauncey, E. Desai, V. and Potter, R.B., 2024. The companion to development studies. Routledge.
Haslam, P. A., Schafer, J., & Beaudet, P. (2021). Introduction to international development: Approaches, actors, and issues. Don Mills: Oxford University Press.
Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2020). Economic development. Pearson education.
Payne, A., & Phillips, N. (2010). Development. Polity.
Chang, H. J. (2014). Economics: the user's guide. Pelican
Recommended academic journals (all available electronically)
World Development
Development and Change
Development Policy Review
Journal of Development Studies
Journal of International Development
Innovation & Development
European Journal of Development Research
Oxford Development Studies
Studies in Comparative International Development
Third World Quarterly |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Hazel Gray
Tel: (0131 6)50 3879
Email: Hazel.Gray@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Emilia Czatkowska
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: Emilia.Czatkowska@ed.ac.uk |
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