AP3ID7-International Development: Histories, Institutions and Trajectories

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: AP2ID2 Approaches to International Development
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Amanda Caine
Email: amanda.caine@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

A historically-informed understanding of international development as a field is essential to effective research, practice and policy-making for human development and wellbeing. In this module, you will learn about the history of international development as a transformational project, a discourse and a sector. It explores how key institutions in the field of international development came into being, and how their evolution impacted on,  development outcomes in the global South. This historical understanding  of international development will provide a foundation for  critical engagement with the question of decolonizing development, an important contemporary moment in the discipline and in practice.

Aims:

This module aims to historicize international development as a field so that students can contextualize the role, nature and motivations of different actors and institutions across different periods of time. By the tracing changes through the colonial and postcolonial periods and mapping the current debate on decolonization, the module underlines that international development is a continuously evolving field of research and practice. Finally, the module seeks to convey that there is no singular history of development, but instead plural histories that are rooted in diverse geographies and trajectories of social, economic and political change.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Having successfully completed this module, students will be able to:

• LO1 Analyse the historical dimensions of international development as a field of study and practice


• LO2 Critically assess and compare the role of different institutions in international development and their global impact


• LO3 Understand the political drivers behind the development of international development institutions


• LO4 Develop the ability to  evaluate the historical and social context of different types of development interventions, policies and ideas

Additional outcomes:

• critical reasoning skills – improved ability to make evidence-based arguments with respect to theories of development


• literature search and evaluation skills, especially in relation to internet-based literature


• debating skills – the ability to think on one’s feet


• time management skills and the ability to perform under pressure

Outline content:

The following content is indicative only and may be subject to minor changes.

The course will draw on interdisciplinary research on international development.  The module will explore the origins of the concept of ‘development’ and will investigate how these have played out in the development of the current development architecture.  Content will include the study of the Bretton Woods institutions – The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.  The historical and political context of the key organs of the United Nations will be explored, together with an evaluation of its current role.  These developments will be viewed through a global, as opposed to a western-centric, perspective.  In this way, an understanding of the varied impacts of these institutions will be gained.  This will, in turn, inform the study of current debates focusing on colonialism and decolonisation within the development sector.

Global context:

This module is firmly rooted within a global context, viewing institutional developments through a range of lenses and case studies taken from across the globe, with particular attention paid to the perspectives of actors in the ‘Global South’.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will be taught through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars. Seminars will be focused on guided student-led discussion and group activities.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10
Advance preparation for classes	40
Preparation for seminars	40
Revision and preparation	35
Essay preparation	40
Reflection	15
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One exam : 1 hour 30 mins

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 2,500 word essay

Formative assessment methods:

A variety of in-class interactive exercises, including use of Mentimeter.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

Re-examination in August/September only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 10 January 2023