AD1AVP: Alternative Voices: Changing Perspectives of International Development

Module code: AD1AVP

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Amanda Caine, email: amanda.caine@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

What is the history of international development and whose perspectives have dominated the narratives surrounding this history?  By tracing changes through the colonial and postcolonial periods the module underlines that international development is a continuously evolving field of research and practice.   Through seeking alternative global voices through the exploration of global case studies, 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.  It aims to understand the history of 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.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Analyse the historical dimensions of international development as a field of study and practice
2. Understand the different global perspectives of international development and situate them within their historical and geographical contexts
3. Develop the ability to assess the social, economic and political drivers behind the different types of development interventions, policies and ideas across different periods of time
4. Understand the role of different institutions within the history of international development and critically evaluate their impact

Module 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 (for example, the IMF) 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.

Structure

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.

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs