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SP10205: Introduction to politics of development

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 20%, PF 80%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • CW 20% (CW 20%)
  • PF 80% (PF 80%)

Information regarding synoptic assessment for this unit will be published shortly. In the meantime please contact the Director of Studies or consult your programme handbook for further details.

Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
SP10205 CW Reassessment only 100% (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: 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.

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.

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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme 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 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • 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.