BA International Development

Year 2

(Award available for year: Diploma of Higher Education)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques which are standard features in a range of aspects of the field of development, the global economic system, and social and political change;
- apply generic and subject specific intellectual qualities to empirical material and case studies examples from the developing world;
- appreciate and critically evaluate the appropriateness of different theoretical approaches used to understand the processes and dynamics of international development;
- critically appraise a range of research techniques used by different development actors to produce and assess data and information;
- appreciate the constraints and opportunities faced by various development actors, such as NGOs, the state and community led organisations;
- critically evaluate qualitative and/or quantitative data;
- effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms, both verbal and written;
- present a structured and coherent argument, based on critical analysis of the appropriateness of different approaches to problem solving associated with development theory and practice;
- build upon and develop their own strengths and weaknesses as learners.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment in the field of international development, and related NGOs and the civil service;
- skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility;
- evaluate their own achievement and that of others;
- think critically and communicate complex ideas as appropriate to the context and assignments;
- learn independently and manage time effectively, completing work to deadlines;
- develop presentation and team work skills;
- adapt flexibly to a range of tasks and working expectations of different modules;
- work within the expectations of academic boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
- demonstrating the ability to analyse to a broad range of issues and debates relevant to the study of the global system, including the global economy, social processes and social, political and economic power;
- the ability to identify both typical and atypical situations and distinguish between the two;
- building on descriptive work to being developing a more critical perspective and basic critical analysis in reference to a wide range of material
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- the ability to constructively assess their own performance and that of others.