GV344-Culture and Development in Africa

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Yaw Adjei-Amoako
Email: yaw.adjei-amoako@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores the relationship between culture and development in the context of Sub- Saharan Africa from theoretical and policy perspectives. Students analyse key social, cultural and development processes and contemporary issues affecting Africa at a range of geographical scales.

Aims:

This module aims to examine the concepts of culture and development in the context of sub-Saharan Africa from both theoretical and policy perspectives. The course critically engages with key social, cultural and development processes and debates at a range of geographical scales, including the global, national, community, household and individual levels.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this Module it is expected that a student will be able to:

• Describe and analyse a range of socio-cultural and development issues and debates in contemporary African societies


• Critically analyse the cultural and development processes that lead to the marginalisation of particular social groups in a range of contexts in sub-Saharan Africa


• Critically evaluate research on postcolonial and development geographies wit hin African contexts


• Critically evaluate policy approaches to culture and development in Africa


• Demonstrate research skills and a critical engagement with contemporary cultural development issues in Africa through planning and presenting at student-led seminar and written individual reflective account and exam.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage the development of skills of critical reading and oral communication. This will be achieved through students’ individual reading, research and preparation of group presentation, reflective account and contributions to seminars.

Outline content:

The module examines the concepts of culture and development in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa from both theoretical and policy perspectives. The course will explore the ways that culture and identity intersect with development processes at a range of geographical scales, including the global, national, community, household and individual levels. Students will analyse the social, cultural and development processes that lead to the marginalisation of particular social groups in contemporary African societies, including gender relations, childhood and youth, race and postcolonial legacies, sexualities, disability and care. These processes will be examined through an analysis of the cultural dimensions of a range of development issues in Africa, including HIV, access to education, human rights and cultural practices, land access and rural spaces, cities and urbanisation etc.

Global context:

This module focuses on culture and development in sub-Saharan Africa. It analyses the ways that international development and global human rights discourses and practices affect the everyday lives of people in diverse African contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught through a combination of pre-recorded lectures/screencasts, student-led seminars and video material.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		10
Tutorials		2
Guided independent study:		168
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Written assignment including essay	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A 2-hour exam (2 questions from a choice of 5 topics), worth 70%.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework (worth 30%): Individual reflective account on group presentation and discussion.

Formative assessment methods:

Group seminar presentation and discussions of reading, workshops discussions about coursework and exam, and tutorials.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Coursework and exam in the August/Sept assessment period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 14 October 2021