AP3ID6-Power and Development

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jo Davies
Email: joanne.davies@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Development is not a neutral concept - it is embedded in a complex web of interests and power relations that can serve to keep people poor and to perpetuate inequality. International development is political; who writes the agenda on how ‘development’ should be achieved?

Who are the key actors in development and where does power lie? Whose knowledge legitimises development policy? What agency do people have in the process of development? You will learn about the tools of power analysis to help you understand the agendas and functioning of global institutions such as the World Bank and the United Nations; the role of the state in development (including corruption, lobbying and vested interests); the power of civil society and the politics of development interventions on the ground.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to enable students to investigate the sources of power that drive the development agenda, taking into account issues of influence, knowledge and agency. Through lectures and a problem-based learning approach, participants will be able to reflect on the nature of power in the context of international development. The impact of power imbalances and inequalities on the lives of people living in poverty will be explored.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module participants will be able to:

• Describe the conceptual underpinning of power analysis and use a range of ‘power analysis’ tools


• Critically assess the institutions of the global aid architecture, such as the World Bank and the United Nations through the lens of power analysis


• Understand and describe the way in which corruption and vested interests can impact upon a country’s development and identify and evaluate power relations that allow corruption to flourish


• Describe the role of civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in development and evaluate their role in achieving development outcomes


• Understand how power analysis can be used in influencing and advocacy strategies in development

Additional outcomes:

1) Devise and sustain arguments

2) An appreciation of the uncertainty and ambiguity of knowledge

3) Evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data

4) Communicate information, problems and solutions

Outline content:

• The conceptual basis of power analysis and tools for undertaking power analysis in development, such as the Power Cube and Systems Thinking


• The institutions of the global aid architecture, such as the World Bank and the United Nations


• The role of the state in development and the role of power in how the state operates in practice


• International and community-based non-governmental organisations


• Using power analysis to advocate for social change in a development context

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A variety of teaching methods will be used. Class sessions will include lectures, group discussions and activities based on video clips or other media. This module will also incorporate a problem-based learning approach.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:
Other	80	80
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Project output other than dissertation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment is by 100% coursework, which may differ from the above. 

Formative assessment methods:

Formative assessment activities during class 

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: 

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: 12 September 2023