IDM095-Theories and Practices of Development

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Alex Arnall
Email: a.h.arnall@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Explore contemporary theories and practices of international development. You will gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of the key ideas that have influenced efforts to reduce poverty and achieve social justice in low-income countries around the world.

Aims:
The goal of IDM095 is to provide students with an overview of the main concepts, ideas and interventions in international development theory and practice. It demonstrates the complex interactions between the social, economic and political factors that make up processes of development at multiple levels, from local to global, and between industrialised and industrialising nations.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Describe different approaches to development theory and practice, and their links to changing ideas about poverty reduction and social justice in developing countries;


• Explain the interrelationships between local, national and global development processes, and the different stakeholder groups that exist across these different levels; and


• Critically reflect on their personal and professional development as a result of their engagement with the module content, as well as externally-organised events seminars and presentations.

Additional outcomes:
IDM095 is intended to act as a common point of reference for MSc and MA students with an interest in international development at the University of Reading. Through exploration of cross-disciplinary issues, IDM095 will help students to synthesise and consolidate ideas and concepts gained in their wider degree programmes.

Outline content:

IDM095 is divided into four distinct but interrelated parts, each lasting 4-5 weeks. Part 1 introduces the main theoretical perspectives that have influenced development policy over the past few decades. Part 2 familiarises students with some of the key conceptual frameworks that have emerged out of these theories. Part 3 introduces and evaluates the main development actors that are responsible for ‘delivering’ development to society. Part 4 examines some of the main ways inwhich mainstream (or ‘orthodox’) ideas in development have been challenged, or how alternative ways of thinking about what development is have been proposed.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching and learning will be delivered via lectures, group discussions and independent study. New concepts and ideas will be supported by £real life£ case studies from developing countries.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	20
Seminars	2
Guided independent study:	78	80
Total hours by term	100	100
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Written assignment including essay	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:
An examination based on the autumn and spring term programmes (60%).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework during autumn and spring term: A reflective diary based on attendance at lectures plus additional seminars and events (40%). Completion of the reflective diary will be supported by a two-hour formative exercise during autumn term.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
An essay of between 2,500 and 3,000 words on a topic chosen from a list given by the module convenor.

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: 6 October 2022