2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PIED2204 Development Theory and Practice
20 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr Lisa Thorley
Email: L.Thorley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module focuses on the theory and practice of the international development industry. The main theoretical perspectives will be examined through an historical review that sketches the rise (and fall) of competing theories since the Bretton Woods Agreement. These theoretical perspectives will be juxtaposed with critical insights into how institutions of development operate in practice. The module will explore the practical dilemmas of doing international development, and engage students in exploring case studies of contemporary development practice.Objectives
This module focuses on the theory and practice of the international development industry. The main theoretical perspectives will be examined through an historical review that sketches the rise (and fall) of competing theories since the Bretton Woods Agreement. These theoretical perspectives will be juxtaposed with critical insights into how institutions of development operate in practice. The module will explore the practical dilemmas of doing international development, and engage students in exploring case studies of contemporary development practice.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Understand a range of theoretical approaches to international development and their roots in different disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives;
- Critically assess the contribution of different theoretical approaches to our understanding of what development ‘is’ and how it might be achieved;
- Apply theories and methods of analysis to current issues and debates.
- Distinguish between different development agents and critically analyse their strengths and weaknesses; and apply this understanding to an individual case study;
- Recognise different ways of measuring and evaluating development, and become proficient in reading and interpreting secondary data;
- Understand different forms of development intervention used by the aid industry.
- Critically reflect on discourses of ‘innovation’, ‘good practice’ and ‘value for money’, developing a critical stance towards assessing development intervention.
Syllabus
Topics include:
1. The rise of the international development industry covering: Theories of economic, social and political development- through identifying predominant assumptions and approaches associated with particular agencies in the development industry.
2. Power and practice in the aid chain;
3 Influencing Policy through advocacy
4 Measuring' Development: What is 'progress', who benefits, and how is it measured?;
5. Taking action- the process of designing development intervention
6. Making a difference- personal and moral dilemmas in development practice
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Private study hours | 167.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 189.00 | ||
Private study
Independent study facilitated by resources on Minerva and resources in the library. Students will also be required to conduct independent research into particular case studies in preparation for seminars, presentations, essays and exams.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will have the opportunity to submit a 500-word overview of their argument as part of their formative feedback in approx. week 7 (exact date to be determined by tutor each year).Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Assignment | 1 x 2000 word Group Policy Brief, 1 x Group Presentation & 1 x 1000 word Individual Critical Reflection | 50.00 |
| Essay | 1 x 2000 word Essay | 50.00 |
| 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 websiteLast updated: 28/08/2024
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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