AP1ID1-International Development: Global and Local Issues

Module Provider: Agr and Food Econ
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AP1ID2 International Development: Global and Local Issues
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Garth Holloway
Email: garth.holloway@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Identify the challenges currently confronting societies, governments, and households and examine how researchers seek to understand these challenges in order to enhance welfare, global sustainability, and the protection of rural livelihoods. In this module you will engage with a range of experienced practitioners and you will learn through diverse teaching methods, including assigned readings, participatory discussions, and directed exercises. These activities will help you understand the formal theories underpinning development processes and the nuances surrounding participatory governance, and will prepare you for future employment in fields of International Development.

Aims:
The aim of the module is to encourage participants to think widely about the nature and scope of development; to think about their own lives in relation to global developmental and environmental issues and to explore how these issues affect people in developed and developing countries. This will be done through presenting broad theoretical and historical perspectives on development as well as local case studies and providing information on policies in place to engage in these issues at global and local levels.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of the module the participants will be able to:
1. Understand and describe different development theories and their various interpretations
2. Discuss policies and intervention strategies adopted by national and international agencies to achieve development targets
3. Engage in informed debate about contemporary development concerns related to the environment, governance, human rights and civil society.
4. Explain the ways in which development issues affect individuals and households, and how development actors (including government) respond.

Additional outcomes:
Through their individual study, students will develop further skills:

• literature search skills in consulting relevant library and internet resources.
• a raised awareness of, and sensitivity to, local development issues.
• in critical enquiry in relation to the experiences of others in development practice

Outline content:

• What is development? - theories of development and historical interpretations of development
• Development interventions - policies and strategies
• Livelihoods and poverty
• Social inclusion/exclusion - tackling inequalities
• Gender
• Development actors - the State, the market and civil society
• Current issues in development
• Case studies ( either thematic or country-specific to illustrate main issues)
• Food demand and supply and allocation
• Food insecurity
• Theories of Famine
• A brief introduction to the household production model

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A variety of teaching methods will be used. Class sessions will include lectures, group discussions based on video clips or other media, and interactive learning with development practitioners and students from the North and South. Learning activities outside the classroom will involve guided reading.

Contact hours:

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

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Class test administered by School	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment will be based on 4 tests, 2 tests in each term (week 5 & 10 of each term).  The first test will be a multiple-choice test worth 15% of the module mark.  The second test will be a written test worth 35%.  The two tests in the Spring Term will each be worth 25% of the overall mark.

Formative assessment methods:

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:

By examination during the re-sit examination period

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023