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.
Indicative course topics:
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
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.
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 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 50 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
| Course Start Date |
21/09/2026 |
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 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
50% final essay (2500 words)
30% synchronous, online examination of between 10-20 minutes
20% group presentation |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided for all assignments. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical understanding of major theories of development and underdevelopment.
- Situate theories of development and underdevelopment in light of the political economic contexts from which they emerged.
- Apply and extend theories to issues at the forefront of developments in international development.
- Communicate effectively insights into the political economy of development.
- Critically evaluate and deconstruct the diversity and complexity of interactions amongst political, economic and social actors involved in development.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Gerhard Anders
Tel: (0131 6)51 3178
Email: Gerhard.Anders@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Maria Brichs
Tel: (0131 6)51 3205
Email: mbrichs@ed.ac.uk |
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