GY301     
The Political Geography of Development and the South

This information is for the 2016/17 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Claire Mercer STC418 (Lecturer)

Dr Megan Ryburn STC 306 (Lecturer and class teacher)

Availability

This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Geography with Economics and BSc in International Relations. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Course content

A critical analysis of the politics of contemporary development processes in the South and the global interests which influence them. The course considers development as both practical pursuit and as a series of discourses and representations. Four key themes are covered:

  • Key concepts and historical overview – Geopolitics, Postcolonialism, Development and the Cold War
  • Continuity and change: Framing today’s development debates – Neoliberalism, The ‘War on Terror’, Climate change, Social movements
  • Changing international aid landscapes – Corruption, Good governance, Civil society, The new aid architecture, New development donors, Microfinance
  • Securing development in the 21st century – Immigration, Disease, Drugs, Violence

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

Students are expected to complete two class essays and one essay plan for their summative essay during the year.

Indicative reading

No one book covers the syllabus. A detailed reading list is provided for each topic covered.

Assessment

Exam (75%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2500 words) in the LT.

Student performance results

(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)

Classification % of students
First 20.8
2:1 48.1
2:2 24.7
Third 3.9
Fail 2.6

Key facts

Department: Geography & Environment

Total students 2015/16: 22

Average class size 2015/16: 11

Capped 2015/16: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills

Course survey results

(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 75%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

1.8

Materials (Q2.3)

1.7

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

1.7

Lectures (Q2.5)

2.1

Integration (Q2.6)

1.9

Contact (Q2.7)

1.8

Feedback (Q2.8)

1.8

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

77%

Maybe

22%

No

1%