University | Catalogues for 2004/05 | for UGs | for PGs

Department of Economics & International Development, Unit Catalogue 2004/05

EC10003: Core skills for economists: introduction to computing and data analysis

Credits: 6

Level: Certificate

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX50CW30OT20

Requisites:

Aims: The aim of the course unit is to familiarise students with University computing facilities and to explore the application of these facilities to economics and to empirical political data. Students should develop the spreadsheet skills to simulate the theoretical models they are learning about in economics and politics.
Learning Outcomes:
* Make effective use of University computing and library resources for purposes of communication, research and collection and description of economic data;
* Apply to economics a range of software products including: word processing (MS Word), presentation software (Powerpoint), spreadsheets (Excel, Minitab), specialist econometric packages (MicroFit) and a relational database (Access);
* Build small spreadsheet models for analysing economic relationships;
* Generate various ways of summarising and presenting univariate and bivariate data.
Skills:
Problem-solving, information technology (standard and technical packages), ability to work and communicate effectively in a team.
Content:
Review of University computing facilities. Powerpoint. Access - database management. The Internet and the World wide web for data retrieval. Creating and managing spreadsheets in Excel - model building and financial functions. Displaying and describing univariate data. Introduction to Correlation and Regression analysis.

EC10004: Core skills for economists: introduction to statistics

Credits: 6

EC10077: Introduction to international development

Credits: 6

Level: Certificate

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims: To introduce students to International Development and to familiarise them with some of the key issues, concepts and methods which are used to explore its social and political dimensions. Learning
Objectives: By the end of this course students should:
* Have a clear understanding of the range of issues raised by International Development;
* Have a clear grasp of certain key concepts used in the social analysis of Development issues;
* Be able to apply these in social and political analysis of development issues and contexts.
Skills:
Critical analysis of texts;
* Clear and logical expression, oral and written;
* Critical reflection on own experience and connections across text and context.
Content:
The four components of International Development: the 'international'; poverty/disadvantage; change/progress; agency/action:
* Who are the poor/Why are they poor?: Approaches to understanding poverty; key dimensions of social difference: class, gender, race/ethnicity;
* Change/progress: grand theories and local trajectories; understanding the nature of change;
* Agency/action: agencies of development; social movements; dynamics of agency; development critique.

Credits: 60

Level: Intermediate

Academic Year

Assessment:

Requisites:

Aims & Learning Objectives:
The placement period enables the student to gain valuable practical experience.
Content:
Please see the Director or Studies or course tutor for details about individual placements.

EC20046: Research & presentation skills for economists

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW60OR40

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC10006 and take EC10007

Aims: The aim of this course unit is to provide students with an environment within which they can develop skills of individual and collaborative research, report preparation, and group presentation of an economic topic using Powerpoint. Topics will be selected to enable students to demonstrate analytical and empirical understanding of the relevance of economics to a contemporary issue.
Learning Outcomes:
* students will have acquired the capacity to undertake research on topics of current interest in economic policy which draw on a range of knowledge acquired in other level 2 course units;
* students will have constructed a business report/ briefing paper outlining the substance of their research which, whilst not compromising the economic analysis, should be accessible to ministers or business people who are not economists;
* students will have worked effectively as members of a small team and will have contributed their fair share;
* students will have enhanced their skills in designing and making presentations which will be transferable to the workplace.
Skills:
* apply appropriate economic theories to real world situations and events;
* write clearly and concisely and present an argument logically and succinctly;
* identify the strengths and weaknesses of working in groups;
* perform a powerful and effective oral and visual presentation;
* use a range of IT packages to aid learning and improve skills.
Content:
Topics will be assigned to students who will work in groups of 5 or 6; they will be policy focused topics, related to one or more of the other units being studied, for example, in monetary, fiscal, industrial, development or environmental economics.

EC20079: Economics of politics

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX50CW50

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC10006 and take EC10007

Aims: The aim of this Unit is to apply introductory microeconomic theory to analyse political behaviour. Students will investigate the extent to which a rational choice model sheds insight on political behaviour and political institutions. Thus, the intention is to provide students with an integrative link between their understanding of economic theory and political science.
Learning Outcomes:
The learning outcome is that, by the end of the course, students will be able to apply introductory microeconomic theory to analyse political behaviour. They will be able to use microeconomics to explain and predict why governments prefer one policy option to another. They will be able to assess the costs involved in democratic decision-making processes. They will be able to identify and assess alleged 'failings' of the political processes and associated prescriptions.
Skills:
Analytical skills are facilitated (i.e. skills of value beyond the subject matter), e.g. the use and evaluation of arguments, logical reasoning. Investigative (research) skills and skill in time management are facilitated. An enhanced understanding of economic analysis and skill in presentation is assessed.
Content:
The course unit begins with a review of microeconomic welfare theory. This is applied to explain and predict the behaviour of politicians, bureaucrats, voters and pressure groups. The implications of adopting different collective decision making rules are investigated. Case studies are used to illustrate theory. Assessment is offered of the public choice school's assertion that government failure leads to an excessively large public sector.

EC20080: Policy & Politics

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

In taking this unit you cannot take SP20005

Before taking this unit you must take introductory course units in economics and politics.
Aims: The aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the political character of concepts and methods which can be employed in the analysis of economic and international development policy. The course is designed
1) to provide students with a critical awareness of the processes through which problem construction takes place in the public realm;
2) to highlight some of the implications of those constructions for public policy making;
3) to apply this critical awareness of problem construction to particular policy issues, and
4) to appreciate the close linkages between politics and policy.
Learning Outcomes:
The learning objectives and outcomes include the ability
1) to understand and analyse critically the political character of a range of substantive policy issues;
2) to appreciate the interface between theory and practice;
3) to engage in constructive, critical discussion about topical issues;
4) to undertake independent research into an issue related to policy and politics;
5) to write articulately, concisely and persuasively;
6) to integrate lecture and reading materials.
Skills:
Intellectual skills
* understand and apply key policy concepts (taught, facilitated and assessed);
* identify researchable policy problems and formulate questions and hypotheses (taught, facilitated and assessed);
* understand dynamics underpinning the policy process ((taught, facilitated and assessed);
Professional skills
* select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources (taught, facilitated and assessed);
* produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines ((taught, facilitated and assessed);
* ability to work independently (taught, facilitated and assessed);
Practical skills
* comprehensive and scholarly written communication (taught, facilitated and assessed);
* concise and effective oral communication (taught, facilitated and assessed);
* working with others for presentation.
Content:
Introduction to political analysis and policy analysis (including theories of state, decision-making, policy implementation, ideology, analysing policy in an international context); the construction of policy problems; Feminist critical policy analysis; role of media; analysis of substantive policy issues including development, free trade, terrorism, and foreign policy.

EC20081: Economic organisation of the European Community

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must (take EC10006 and take EC10007) or (take EC10008 and take EC10009)

Aims: The aim of this course unit is to apply introductory microeconomic and macroeconomic principles to a range of European policy areas.
Learning Outcomes:
The learning objective is that students will have enhanced their capacity to think analytically about European economic issues.
Skills:
Development of analytical and interdisciplinary skills.
Content:
The following topics will be covered: EU trade policy and the economics of customs unions; Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies of the EU; fiscal harmonisation and EU budgetary policy; EU environmental policy; EU industrial and competition policy; European Monetary Union exchange rate arrangements. Key texts: M.J. Artis and N. Lee (eds) The Economics of the European Union; De Grauwe Economics of Monetary Union; Eijffinger and De Haan European Monetary and Fiscal Policy.

EC20147: Intermediate microeconomics 2

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX70CW30

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20010 and take EC20018

Aims: The aim of this unit is to enable students to extend their analytical ability in microeconomics so that they can use theory to generate predictions and explanations with respect to economic phenomena.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module the student will be able to:
a) examine the working of some basic types of market structure;
b) understand some basic efficiency and welfare concepts and apply them to various situations;
c) understand some of the problems that can arise in a market economy.
Skills: Problem solving: application of analysis to specific problems. Understanding: expressed in written form through coursework and examination.
Content: This unit, together with EC20010, covers the core concepts and method of microeconomic analysis at the intermediate level, using some mathematics in modelling and explanation. General equilibrium and welfare: competitive equilibrium and Pareto optimality; externalities and public goods; monopoly: welfare loss due to monopoly, taxes on monopolies; oligopoly: Cournot and Stackelberg models; the economics of information. Key text: Varian, H Intermediate Microeconomics.

EC30017: The economics of work

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20010 and take EC20011

Aims: The aim of this unit is to provide a sustained application and extension of predominantly intermediate microeconomic theory to the labour market.
Learning Outcomes:
Learning outcomes are that students should gain a critical appreciation of the impact of market forces, institutions and regulations within labour markets. The general desirability of government intervention of various types into this vital area of the economy is a key question students should be able to tackle by the end of the course unit.
Skills:
Using deductive reasoning in abstract models. Applying theory to specific contexts and empirical material. Synthesising relevant material and debates.
Content:
Labour is the most important single factor of production and the analytical and empirical study of the labour market constitute the content of this course. Topics covered will include: labour supply; household production, the family and the life cycle; labour demand; compensating wage differentials; human capital: education and training; worker mobility: migration, immigration and turnover; pay and productivity; gender, race, and ethnicity in the labour market; unions and the labour market; inequality in earnings; unemployment. Key Text: R. Ehrenberg and R. Smith (2002) Modern Labor Economics: Theory and Public Policy (eighth edition). Addison Wesley Longman Limited.

EC30020: Econometrics 1

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20019

Aims: Knowledge of econometrics is an essential part of the toolkit of any economist and econometric techniques are used in a wide range of disciplines, including management, statistics and biological sciences. The aim of this Unit is to build on the second year work in EC20019 and present a rigorous account of econometrics.
Learning Outcomes:
Learning objectives: Students should gain an ability to critically evaluate econometric work done by others, in e.g. journals, as well as increase their ability to do their own empirical work. By the end of the semester students will be more confident in their use of matrix algebra, the language of econometrics, and its application to econometric problems. They will have undertaken empirical work using computer packages such as RATS. The emphasis is on both theory and applications in equal measure.
Skills:
Econometrics.
Content:
The Unit follows Johnston's classic text to a large extent. Specific topics include: ordinary least squares; measures of goodness of fit; two stage least squares; serial correlation; heteroscedasticity; lag structures; errors in variables; measurement errors and Monte Carlo simulation, Granger causality, maximum likelihood and the Cramer-Rao theorem. Key texts: Jack Johnston and John Dinardo Econometrics Pindyck and Rubinfeld Econometric Models and Economic Forecasts Cuthbertson, Hall and Taylor Applied Econometric Techniques Additional material: The lecture notes are stored in the short loan section of the Library. Students will also be referred to additional reading material.

EC30021: Econometrics 2

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC30020

Aims: The aim of this Unit is to build on the work done in the first semester course unit EC30020 Econometrics 1 taking the analysis of econometrics to a higher level. The emphasis is therefore on introducing the students to a wide range of different techniques currently in use in econometrics, enabling them to critically evaluate econometric work done by others, as well as increasing their ability to do their own empirical work. The emphasis is on both theory and applications in equal measure.
Learning Outcomes:
Learning objectives: By the end of the semester students will understand a wide variety of econometric techniques and be able to undertake their own econometric analysis making use of those techniques. They will have undertaken empirical work using RATS and LIMDEP. Students should also have the capacity to expand their own knowledge and ability under their own initiative once they have graduated. By the end of the unit students will be sufficiently competent in econometrics to pursue a masters in Economics, and will also have assimilated techniques which will be valuable in a commercial environment.
Skills:
Econometrics
Content:
The Unit follows Johnston's classic text to a large extent, although going beyond that in significant areas. Specific topics include: nonlinear least squares; Box Jenkins and ARIMA forecasting; stationarity and cointegration (Johansen); error correction models; evaluating forecasts; limited dependent variable analysis - binomial, probit, and logit; seemingly unrelated regressions 3SLS. Key texts: Jack Johnston and John Dinardo Econometrics Koutsoyiannis Econometrics Pindyck and Rubinfeld Econometric Models and Economic Forecasts Cuthbertson, Hall and Taylor Applied Econometric Techniques Additional material: The lecture notes are stored in the short loan section of the Library. Students will also be referred to additional reading material.

EC30024: Economics of development

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: ES50EX50

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC10006 and take EC10007

Aims: To define economic development, from both historical and theoretical angles. To explore different explanations for global variation in the rate of economic development, with particular reference to low and middle income countries (L&MICs).
Learning Outcomes:
To acquire an improved understanding of:
* the extent of global diversity in economic development and implications for human welfare;
* explanations for variation in levels of poverty and economic development globally;
* how the economies of L&MICs interact with those of high income countries (HICs);
* the relevance of economic theory to the analysis of the economic problems and prospects of LMICs;
* the relationship between economics and other social science disciplines relevant to understanding economic development.
Skills:
* Ability to understand theories and models, to assess critically their consistency and relevance to historical material;
* Ability to work in a team to produce a short presentation, to learn from feedback on the presentation and then produce a balanced essay on the same topic.
Content:
The following topics will be covered: classical models of agrarian transformation and industrialisation; the post-war and current status of development economics; economic development, institutions and culture;trade strategies and the effects of economic liberalisation; economic development and demography; strategies for poverty reduction, including the role of aid. Key text: G.M. Meier and J. E. Rauch (eds) Leading Issues in Economic Development.

EC30025: Applied development economics

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 2

Assessment: ES50EX50

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC30024

Aims: The aim of this unit is to provide an in-depth understanding of selected contemporary issues affecting the economies of selected low and middle income countries. Whereas EC30024 (Economies of Development) aims to provide a broad overview of the subject, this unit provides an opportunity to specialise in its application to specific issues and countries, to analyse detailed empirical material, and to analyse economic policy within a broader political economy framework.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit, students should have a clearer sense of both the strengths and limitations of economic theory and empirical analysis as tools for addressing current development policy issues. They should also have a stronger sense of the diversity of problems and policy issues facing low and middle income countries, and improved skills in using library resources to research a specific country/region and topic.
Skills:
* Ability to apply theory (of economic development) to selected country experience.
* Ability to review critically empirical research relating to specific countries and policy issues, then to define and then answer a question relating to this material.
* Ability to review critically and to synthesise material from different schools of thought within economics and the social sciences more widely.
Content:
Contemporary policy options (at global, national and sub-national levels) with respect to promoting economic development in these countries. Recent economic performance of selected countries in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Examples include growth, inequality and poverty; fertility; agricultural development; food security, malnutrition and famines; distributional impacts of liberalisation; education and health policy; labour markets; comparative analysis of economic performance across countries and states; approachyes to management of Dutch Disease; conflict and reconstruction. Key reading is from recent editions of relevant journals: Journal of Development Economics, Economic Development and Cultural Change, World Development, Journal of Development Studies, Review of Development Economics, Development and Change, Journal of African Economics, Economic and Political Weekly and more.

EC30026: Economics of transition

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC10006 and take EC10007

plus any two second year economics units.
Aims: To use economic analysis to understand the changes that are taking place in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and to develop a critical awareness of the problems that have beset transition, and an appreciation of their possible solution.
Learning Outcomes:
The student should be able to describe the process of transition; to demonstrate an awareness of the role played by the legacy of planning under communism to the present state of transition; and to show the weaknesses in present policies, and to outline how progress might be achieved.
Skills:
Development of critical analysis. This is taught and assessed.
Content:
Topics covered will include measuring transition; the planned economy and the legacy of planning under communism; the speed and sequencing of transition policies; privatisation; financial markets; governance and corruption. Key Texts: D. Gros and A. Steinherr Winds of Change; M Lavigne The Economics of Transition (2nd ed.); C W Lawson Economic Transition from Planned to Market Economies 1989-1999 UNESCO 2001, available on short loan, 002-0032.

EC30027: International monetary economics

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20010 and take EC20011

Aims: The aim of the Unit is to present a fairly rigorous account of the material that relates to monetary aspects of an open economy. Students will gain a critical appreciation of the theoretical tools used in this important area of economics and a robust analytical framework for the interpretation of policy. Although the unit can be studied as a self-contained module, it forms part of a specialist stream in International Economics, with EC3034 International Trade.
Learning Outcomes:
The learning outcomes are that, at the end of the course unit, students will understand the way in which economic theory can be applied to issues such as
(i) the use of fiscal and monetary policies in open economies;
(ii) UK balance of payments policy;
(iii) the workings of the foreign exchange market;
(iv) the European monetary system and the issue of UK membership
(v) theoretical accounts of international financial crises.
Skills:
Using deductive reasoning in abstract models. Applying theory to specific contexts. Synthesising relevant material and debates.
Content:
The course unit emphasises debate mainly at the theoretical level, by generally contrasting a Keynesian real side approach with a more classically inspired monetary approach. Specific topics include: the nature and significance of the balance of payments; parity concepts; the efficient markets hypothesis; devaluation; open economy macroeconomics; flexible versus fixed exchange rates; the foreign trade sector, Europe and international policy co-ordination. Key texts:
* L.S. Copeland Exchange Rates and International Finance
* P. Hallwood and R. MacDonald International Money and Finance
* L.Sarno and M.P. Taylor The Economics of Exchange Rates.

EC30028: Economic growth & natural resources

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20010 and take EC20011

Aims: The aim of the Unit is to provide a fairly sophisticated account of theories of economic growth and of natural resource use, leading on to a discussion of the concept of sustainable development. Though the unit draws on some techniques of dynamic optimisation, the emphasis is on economic intuition and empirical relevance rather than rigorous mathematical proof.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the Unit students should be able to critically appraise the analytical models and empirical evidence used by economists relating to:
* the causes of differences in long-term comparative growth performance across countries and regions;
* the determinants over time of the available stocks and prices of various natural resources, such as fossil fuels, metals, fish and timber;
* the efficiency and equity of various ways of managing natural resources, including the implications of these for biodiversity;
* the likelihood of economic growth being sustainable in the long-term, taking into account the effects of population growth, technical progress and natural resource depletion. Although the unit can be studied as a self-contained module, it forms part of a specialist stream in the Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment, with EC30029 Environmental Economics.
Skills:
Development of advanced level reasoning with respect to modelling economic growth and natural resource use.Application of economic analysis and modelling to very important areas of economic policy.
Content:
The Unit covers the following topics: The neo-classical model of growth and the empirical record; savings and optimal growth; endogenous growth; depletion of exhaustible resources; management of renewable resources; intergenerational equity; sustainable development. Key texts: Perman, Ma , McGilvray and Common Natural Resource and Environmental Economics Charles I. Jones Introduction to Economic Growth

EC30029: Environmental economics

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20010

Aims: The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the nature of environmental problems and potential policy solutions.
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to identify key environmental problems and be able to provide policy solutions. In addition, they should be able to critically assess these policies and critically evaluate the performance of economic instruments and regulation.
Skills:
Development of analytical & interdisciplinary skills.
Content:
Externalities, the economics of pollution; pollution control policy; the valuation of environmental resources.

EC30030: Advanced microeconomics

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20010 and take EC20018

Aims: The aim of this course is to build on intermediate microeconomics and to introduce some of the theory that underlies recent academic research.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course students will have acquired:
(i) an understanding of the scope of modern microeconomics and its applications;
(ii) an ability to read and understand current literature in microeconomics;
(iii) an ability to use advanced microeconomic concepts in analysing specific issues.
Skills:
The following are facilities and assessed: Abstract reasoning; information synthesis; diagrammatic skills; writing skills; numeracy skills.
Content:
The course will focus on two interrelated issues vis. the theory of games and the economics of information. Topics in 2004/2005 will include Game theory, oligopoly theory; bargaining; asymmetric information and uncertainty; signalling and screening. Key texts:
* Gravelle, H. and H Rees. (1992). Microeconomics.
* Hirshleifer, J. and J. G. Riley. (1992). The Analaytics of Uncertainty and Information.
* I. Molho (1997). The Economics of Information.
* Krepps, D. (1991), A Course in Microeconomic Theory.
* Rasmusen, E. (1996). Games and Information.

EC30031: Advanced macroeconomics

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20011

Aims: The aim of this unit is to build on second year macroeconomics and to help students to achieve a critical understanding of recent macroeconomic research on key issues such as expectations in macroeconomics, unemployment, inflation and monetary and fiscal policy.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students should be able to evaluate new contributions to the macroeconomic literature, including policy research carried out by government and independent economists. By the end of the unit students will be sufficiently competent in macroeconomics to pursue a masters in Economics.
Skills:
Development of analytical and interdisciplinary skills. Enhancement and application of rigorous mathematical and technical skills and its relevance to macroeconomic theory and modelling.
Content:
Unemployment and inflation in the main 'schools' of macroeconomics. The macroeconomic framework; policy credibility and monetary and fiscal policy. Modern treatment of the Phillips curve. Explanations of the 'natural rate' of unemployment and hysteresis; real wage and price pressures; nominal wage and price rigidity; real wage rigidity: efficiency wages and efficient contract and unemployment. Reputation, delegation and monetary policy. Median voter theory and fiscal policy. Key texts: Heijdra B. and Van der Ploeg F Foundations of Modern Macroeconomics, OUP 2002; Romer D. Advanced Macroeconomics, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2001.

EC30032: Final year research project 1

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take EC20046

Aims: These Units can only be taken together, and form a two semester period of study on a single topic of the student's choice.The aim of the research project units is that students will learn how to design and carry out research on a specific economic question. Students will be building on and developing skills acquired in the second year in EC20046 Research and Presentation Skills. Students on the degree Programme in Economics and Politics may select a topic which relates to political science, but will be encouraged to demonstrate skills of economic and political analysis.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of these Units students should have demonstrated that they can frame a research question and undertake sustained analysis using a range of sources. They will have enhanced many transferable skills valuable in the labour market and be well prepared for study at the Masters level.
Skills:
These units will significantly develop the student's capacity to research a topic in depth using the range of resources available. Transferable skills gained include: ability to work independently to a largely self-structured research agenda, ability to apply received theory, models etc. to a topic of the student's own choice, substantially enhanced knowledge of data sources and econometric application, better presentational skills. The research project gives students an opportunity to bring together and demonstrate the cumulation of 3 or 4 years of study. Students who have undertaken an industrial placement (for example, with the Bank of England, or HM Treasury) will frequently develop research commenced in these institutions.
Content:
The topic will be chosen by the student. Students will work under the regular guidance of their supervisor, submitting the finished project early in the summer term.

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims: To familiarise students with the aims and methods of sociology and social anthropology, to introduce them to the kinds of issues sociologists and social anthropologists raise in the development context, and to equip them with some social analysis tools of relevance to the practice of international development.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit study fellows should: Have a clear grasp of certain key concepts in Sociology and Social Anthropology; Be familiar with some key approaches within Gender and Social Development practice; Be able to apply these to undertake social analysis of development issues and contexts.
Skills: General skills: active learning, working in groups, doing presentations, writing, critical analysis, imagination and empathy, synthesis, trawling literatures. Social development skills: recognising that policies and projects always involve real people and the related implications, appreciation of empirical diversity and complexity, discourse analysis, analysis of dynamic interactions between social power structures and social actors, understanding of unintended consequences, use of empirical material.
Content: Social difference and inequality: forms and dimensions of difference; how these are expressed; their basis and how they are reproduced; how they vary and fit together. Living together: units and modes of belonging; dynamics in relationship; links with social inequality. Thinking, knowing and acting: consciousness and empowerment; culture and ideology; identity and subjectivity. Dynamics of Change: environmental dimensions; endogenous/exogenous factors; making change happen through violence/non-violence; policies, organisations and projects. Frameworks of Understanding: methods and approaches of social research; logic of explanation; power/knowledge; morality and development critique.

EC50063: Policy theory & the politics of developing countries

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

In taking this unit you cannot take SP50139

Aims: To establish the political theoretical frameworks necessary for the analysis of policy and then to introduce the wider concepts, ideas and questions that are fundamental to the study of politics in developing countries.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the units students should:
* have a critical understanding of key concepts from political science necessary for the analysis of policy, both in general and in relation to development policy;
* be critically aware of the range of 'actors' in the policy process and place them in theoretical context;
* have a critical understanding of the way Western political theory has been applied to developing countries;
* show an understanding of basic conceptualisations of democracy, state, nationalism that had their origins in the West but are used to evaluate the politics of developing countries.
Skills: Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (e.g. essays) (Taught/Facilitated/Assessed). Ability to select, summarise and synthesis written information from multiple sources (T/F/A). Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models (T/F/A). Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question (T/F/A). Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F/A). Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance (T/F/A).
Content:
Part 1: Politics and policy analysis; Theories of the state; Theories of power; Organisations and Institutions; Street-level bureaucrats; Organised interests and civil society.
Part 2: The politics of studying the politics of developing countries; The state of the Third World State; The problem of democratisation, problematising democracy; Contesting the Nation; contesting Nationalisms; Conceptualising politics; Politicising concepts.

EC50066: Postgraduate dissertation preparation (MID/MGIPA)

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims: To develop skills in formulating a research question and with plans for a possible answer; to develop skills in preparing and giving presentations; to develop skills in locating and organising suitable data and literature for a dissertation.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students should have a deeper and more critical understanding of how to formulate and develop an original research question. They should also have improved their skills in researching, presenting and critically appraising possible topics.
Skills: Cross-cultural and interpersonal sensitivity (Taught/Facilitated). Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (e.g. briefings / exams) (T/F/Assessed). Effective oral communication (e.g. seminar presentations) (T/F). Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models (T/F). Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem (T/F). Ability to formulate a research question, then develop and present an original & coherent answer (T/F/A). Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F). Ability to work independently, without close supervision of guidance (T/F). Ability to work effectively as part of a group or team (T/F).
Content: The unit consists of an intensive workshop lasting one week. During this period students are briefed on what constitutes a good dissertation and on methodological options. They are also required to come up with a possible dissertation topic. They discuss these in small groups, as well as with a tutor, and present a draft dissertation synopsis both on paper and orally.

EC50071: Management of development (MID)

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW50EX50

Requisites:

Aims: To introduce students to key issues in the contemporary management of development.
Learning Outcomes: Participants should develop an awareness of trends in contemporary development practice and understand how the management of development fits with a wider analysis of the development policy process.
Skills: Cross-cultural and interpersonal sensitivity (Taught/Facilitated). Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (e.g. briefings / exams) (T/F/Assessed). Effective oral communication (e.g. seminar presentations) (T/F). Ability to select, analyse and present numerical data (T/F). Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models (T/F/A). Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem (T/F/A). Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question (T/F/A). Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F/A). Ability to work effectively as part of a group or team (T/F).
Content: The unit involves a review of process and blueprint approaches to project cycle management (including the use of logical framework, cost-benefit, and stakeholder analysis, contracting and performance assessment) with particular reference to micro enterprise development. It also analyses wider structures and systems of administration and governance, illustrated with reference to structural adjustment and public (including health) sector reform programmes. In both parts the emphasis will be on bringing out the relationship between development practices and underlying issues, including participation, power, sustainability, rationality.Illustrative content: Introduction: Policy, Programmes and Projects; Managing Organisations, Managing People; Project Appraisal; Appraisal exercise; Project Identification and Design Identification; Identification and Design exercise; Interventions and Internal Relationships External Relationships; Service Delivery; Service Delivery exercise; Intervention Evaluation; Evaluation exercise; Conclusion: Managing Development and Poverty Eradication.

EC50073: E1 International economics 1

Credits: 0

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment:

Requisites:

Unit for the MA in Interpreting & Translating.
Aims & Learning Objectives: The aim of these elective units is to provide an introductory outline of the main features of economic analysis and show how this may be of some help in analysing important contemporary issues. Students who have taken the units should therefore be able to demonstrate an appropriate knowledge and understanding of economic analysis and terminology in their translation and interpreting activities.
Content: The course material is chosen to demonstrate how economic analysis can be applied not only to UK domestic issues but also to a broad selection of European and more widely international topics. The main areas dealt with are as follows:
* Markets: demand and supply - Case study: the housing market;
* Assessing macro-economic variables;
* Macro-economic policy;
* Inflation and unemployment;
* Public debt, the balance of payments and exchange rates;
* EMU and possible UK membership. Students are expected to do appropriate background reading.

EC50074: E1 International economics 2

Credits: 0

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment:

Requisites: