2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2690 Geographies of International Development and Rebellion

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Louise Waite
Email: l.waite@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

International development, and in particular the problems faced by the 'global south', or the 'majority world', is a key area for contemporary geography. This module aims to introduce students to key contemporary issues in international development - in terms of policy, theory and action. It focuses on unpacking international development through an exploration of key themes, case studies and a focus on prospects and challenges for the future. It focuses on key thinkers in development from different places and eras. A key focus of the module is `resistance and rebellion' - those groups fighting against the market-led, neo-liberal orthodoxy of today's globalised world and to this end case study material will be presented from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Objectives

By the end of this module students who have engaged well with the syllabus should be able to:
1. Articulate a coherent understanding of international socio-economic inequalities, efforts at global poverty alleviation, and those struggling for alternative visions of development.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the contribution of the work of geographical scholars to understandings of international uneven development.
3. Apply a wide range of reading for use in writing an essay.
4. Show evidence of understanding development issues by completing a portfolio of work

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A5 The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes
A6 The geographies of difference and inequality with particular reference to international development, ethnicity, class, gender and the changing nature of international political economy and institutions
A7 Contemporary debates about time-space relationships, globalization and global interconnections, and social movements
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental, political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices

B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments

C Practical/professional skills
C5 Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries

D Key skills
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively

Syllabus

1 Introduction. Understanding development, poverty and inequality
2 Theorizing Uneven Development I. Latin America and the Dependency School
3 Theorizing Uneven Development II. Pan African voices.
4 Theorizing Uneven Development III. Post development school
5 Institutions of uneven international development I. The WTO, IMF and World Bank
6. Institutions of uneven international development II. Aid, trade and debt.

7. Reading week. No lectures

8 Case study I. The Zapatistas and Autonomous Development
9 Case Study II. India, Ladakh and Counter Development
10. Guest Lecture. The New Internationalist
11 Conclusions Prospects and challenges

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			90.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

20 hours reading to support individual lectures
50 hours reading, bibliographical research and preparation for assessed essay
20 hours reading, bibliographical research and preparation for portfolio work

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through weekly lectures, including break-out groups etc.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	80.00
Portfolio	500 words	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2009

Disclaimer

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