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
PDAM skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Specialist skills
Course survey results
(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)
1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" scoreThe scores below are average responses.
Response rate: 75%
Question |
Average | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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) |
|