AP2ID8-International Development: Histories, Institutions and Trajectories

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: AP2ID2 Approaches to International Development
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

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

Module Co-convenor: Dr Jo Davies
Email: joanne.davies@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

A historical perspective of international development as a field is essential for 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.  This understanding will also enable critical engagement of the future trajectories of the international development sector.

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 Understand the historical and political drivers behind the development of international development institutions


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


• LO4 Develop the ability to evaluate the historical, social, economic, political 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 this has influenced the field of international development since its inception after WWII.  It will delve into the social, economic and political context of different theories, interventions and funding of ‘development’ since WWII.  The historical and political context of the establishment of the key institutions of international development, (such as the UN development institutions and the World Bank) will be explored with a view to understanding their role and contribution.  This contextual analysis will be taken from a global, as opposed to a western-centric perspective, and global case studies will be undertaken wherever possible.  Finally, the possible future direction of the international development sector will be considered based on the historical perspective gained from the module.

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	20
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10
Advance preparation for classes	40
Preparation for seminars	35
Revision and preparation	35
Essay preparation	40
Reflection	10
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, submitted in final week of the Autumn term.

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):

Last updated: 26 September 2023