Module description
The module will cover a range of conceptual and empirical material pertaining to the development geography of the global south with a specific focus on Africa. The critical perspectives presented highlight many of the failures of development and offer a robust perspective, which may lead students to question the persistence of the international aid sector in its present form. Research conducted in the global South is often associated with the ‘development’ label, and development often serves as shorthand for the modernisation of the global economy. Mainstream ‘modernisation-as-development’ has lost credibility with the persistence of poverty in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. This module will enable students to understand the process of economic divergence which has been experienced by the poor, rather than the ascent towards parity with the First World, which was anticipated in the post-war era. The different approaches towards development are discussed as are the politics of international trade and economic policy.
Students will understand debates about the meaning of the term ‘development’ and the different ways of measuring ‘development’ and be apprised as to the theoretical changes in development geography. The module will also provide material which will prepare students for development-related courses in their third year and to assist some in the selection of third year dissertation topics which consider geographical issues pertinent to developing countries.
Assessment details
1 x Examination, 100% of mark
Educational aims & objectives
To apprise students of the debates about the meaning of the term 'development' and the different ways of measuring 'development'.
To apprise students of theoretical changes in development geography, including postmodern and postcolonial theories and to enable students to understand how these have shaped policy and influenced the economic trajectories of different countries.
To develop a critical understanding of contemporary development policy approaches.
To develop an awareness of how patterns of wealth and welfare vary both between and within developing countries, in particular the importance of a geographical understanding of the connections between different spaces of affluent consumption and impoverishment.
To develop an awareness of selected processes operating within developing countries which affect their rural, urban and population geography.
To develop an appreciation of the links between regional expertise and development practice.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course students should be able to:
- Understand and engage with the debates about strategies to achieve development and the meaning of 'development'.
- Research the different economic policies of developing countries and discuss how these relate to the livelihoods of the poor
- Evaluate various ways of measuring poverty and development and understand different examples of development successes and failures.
- Understand and explain contemporary patterns of wealth and welfare in poor and middle income countries.
Teaching pattern
20hrs lectures & Workshops
Provisional module structure (this will be amended)
1. a) Introduction – Defining Development
1. b) Measuring Development
2. a) Expectations of Modernity
2. b) Development Theories and Coursework Discussion
3. a) Resource Curse3. b) Structural Adjustment and the Debt Crisis in Africa
4. a) Development in East Asia and South Korea
4. b) Gender and Development
5. a) Rural livelihoods
5. b) Urban Livelihoods
6. a) Global Health and Development
6. b) Development Success and Failure in Mozambique
7. a) The MDGs, SDGs and PRSPs
7. b) Extraversion, Corruption and Passive Revolution
8. a) New Powers: The Rise of the BRICS
8. b) BRICS in Africa
9. a) Clothing Poverty: The Global Fashion and Textile sector
9. b) Free versus Fair Trade
10. a) The A-Z of Development (Module Re-Cap)
10. b) After Development