- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues

Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


SP30210: Global governance and the contemporary challenges of under-development

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Reassessment not allowed
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
The unit introduces students to the key contemporary debates over the causes of and possible solutions to the major developmental challenges facing the world's poorest countries. In particular, it covers: debates over the utility or futility of international aid to assist poor countries; debates over the 'conflict trap' affecting many under-developed countries and critiques of the mainstream 'Liberal Peace' agenda linking security and development; and, debates over contemporary concepts of global governance and global civil society. The unit explores 'successful' case studies and contemporary global trends that present a challenge to dominant views on global development, including the rise of China and India, and the Latin American shift.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
* critically understand the concepts of global governance, conflict, security and under-development;
* critically evaluate mainstream diagnoses of under-development as a consequence of poor governance and the 'conflicttrap' and critiques of this orthodoxy;
* critically assess contemporary global trends in the politics of development
* understand the different levels and actors involved in world politics of development and critically discuss their contributions to different development approaches.

Skills:

* ability to understand and analyse critically a range of issues in the contemporary world politics of development.
* Ability to make presentations and engage in constructive, critical discussion.
* Ability to write articulately, concisely and persuasively about issues in world politics of development.
* Ability to research an independently an issue related to world politics of development.

Content:
1. The failure of development: Chronic under-development in historical perspective
2. Theoretical perspectives on the world order and global goveranance
3. The politics and impacts of aid
4. The 'conflict trap': War and under-development
5. The regional nature of conflict, security and development
6. Humanitarian and military interventions
7. The 'resource curse' and its limitations
8. Bucking the trend: Botswana and Malaysia
9. The changing world politics of development: China and India
10. The Latin American shift: Venezuela.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

SP30210 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB02 : BSc (hons) Economics and International Development (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHES-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Economics and International Development (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Economics and Politics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc (hons) Economics and Politics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB09 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB05 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and German) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB04 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB03 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB18 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Spanish) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB06 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB07 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB02 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB01 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB23 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Spanish) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB20 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB22 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB19 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB21 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.