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SP10205: Introduction to politics of development

[Page last updated: 01 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 20%, PF 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment Group N: CW 20% - SPS Students (CW 20% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Assessment Group N: PF 80% Portfolio - SPS Students (PF 80% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Assessment Group S: CW 20% - Non SPS Students (CW 20% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Assessment Group S: CW 80% - Non SPS Students (CW 80% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
Supplementary Assessment:
SP10205 CW 80% Reassessment - Non SPS Students (where allowed by programme regulations)
SP10205 CW Reassessment 20% - Non SPS Students (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students should:
* have a clear understanding of the political dimensions of development
* know and understand historical frameworks elaborated to study the politics of development
* be familiar with key theories and debates around the notions of the state, civil society, and state-society relations
* have a critical understanding of key political concepts such as power, authority, legitimacy, democracy
* be familiar with empirical illustrations and case studies.

Aims: To introduce students to core concepts, ideas and theories used in the political analysis of development, and to familiarise them with relevant illustrations and case studies.

Skills:
* Acquire bibliographic skills, identify and use relevant library and other bibliographic resources
* Understand issues posed by political research in relation to international development
* Ability to apply core political concepts and ideas to academic texts, as well as current news and affairs
* Develop writing skills in a manner informed and consistent with a political analysis of international development.

Content: The state and policy capacity, globalization, democracy and democratization, civil society and social movements, religion, NGOs, environment.
Key text:
* Burnell, J., V. Randall and L. Rakner (2014), Politics in the Developing World, 4th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
* Green, Duncan (2012), From Poverty to Power: How Active Citizens and Effective States Can Change the World, Practical Action.

Programme availability:

SP10205 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 1)

SP10205 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 1)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 1)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.