Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Humanities and Social Science

Learning Methods

Lecture

Seminar

Module Offerings

6112IRP-SEP-MTP

Aims

To critically understand the key conceptual frameworks and theories of development

To engage with relevant debates on the drivers of economic development in the fields of international politics, political economy and development studies

Develop an awareness of the international, regional and national factors shaping development in a specific region of the world

To understand the history of development and engage with themes relating to contemporary development in the region in question.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Critically appraise key theories of development found within the fields of international politics, political economy and development studies and be able to apply these to the region under study
2.
Critically reflect on the historical roots of development in the region and themes relating to contemporary development in the region
3.
Critically evaluate and compare key case studies in the region and utilise theoretical frameworks to analyse these.

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:
Topics covered could include:
  • What is development?
  • The state and development
  • Colonialism, neo-colonialism and theories of underdevelopment
  • The history of development policy from the post-colonial to contemporary era
  • International organisations and development
  • The rising powers and the prospects of development in a multi-polar order
  • Natural resources and development
  • Democratisation and development
  • Foreign aid and development
  • Conflict and development

 
Module Overview:
This module is designed to familiarise students with debates surrounding the international politics of development. We live in an international system deeply divided in terms of national income and access to basic human welfare. This module aims to explore the politics behind why certain regions are rich and others poor. It does so by narrowing its focus onto a specific region of the world and examines the historical and contemporary factors shaping its economic development (or underdevelopment). In this module, students will examine key theories of development from the fields of international politics, political economy and development studies and the points of contention between them. It will then apply these empirically to explore different themes and case studies related to the development trajectory of a specific region of the world.

Assessments

Portfolio

Essay