IDM095-Theories and Practices of Development

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Ms Reham Elmorally
Email: r.elmorally2@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Explore contemporary theories and practices of international development. You will gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of the key ideas that have influenced efforts to reduce poverty and achieve social justice in low-income countries around the world.

Aims:
The goal of IDM095 is to provide students with an overview of the main concepts, ideas and interventions in international development theory and practice. It demonstrates the complex interactions between the social, economic and political factors that make up processes of development at multiple levels, from local to global, and between industrialised and industrialising nations.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Describe different approaches to development theory and practice, and their links to changing ideas about poverty reduction and social justice in developing countries;


• Explain the interrelationships between local, national and global development processes, and the different stakeholder groups that exist across these different levels; and


• Critically reflect on their personal an d professional development as a result of their engagement with the module content, as well as externally-organised events seminars and presentations.

Additional outcomes:
IDM095 is intended to act as a common point of reference for MSc and MA students with an interest in international development at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. Through exploration of cross-disciplinary issues, IDM095 will help students to synthesise and consolidate ideas and concepts gained in their wider degree programmes.

Outline content:

IDM095 is divided into four distinct but interrelated parts, each lasting 4-5 weeks.ÌýPart 1 introduces the main theoretical perspectives that have influenced development policy over the past few decades. Part 2 familiarises students with some of the key conceptual frameworks that have emerged out of these theories. Part 3 introduces and evaluates the main development actors that are responsible for ‘delivering’ development to society. Part 4 examines some of the main ways in which mainstream (or ‘orthodox’) ideas in development have been challenged, or how alternative ways of thinking about what development is have been proposed.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching and learning will be delivered via lectures, group discussions and independent study. New concepts and ideas will be supported by 􀀑real life􀀒 case studies from developing countries.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
An examination based on the autumn and spring term programmes (60%).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework during autumn and spring term: A reflective diary based on attendance at lectures plus additional seminars and events (40%). Completion of the reflective diary will be supported by a two-hour formative exercise during autumn term.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: