Module Information

Module Identifier
IP29220
Module Title
International Politics and Global Development
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Professor Mustapha Pasha
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 x 2,000 Word Essay  40%
Semester Assessment Seminar Presentation  10%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   (1 x 2 hour exam) pre-seen  50%
Supplementary Assessment 1 x 2,000 word essay  40%
Supplementary Assessment 500 Word Review in lieu of presentation  10%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   (1 x 2 hour exam) pre-seen  50%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity and diversity of terms used when referring to the Third World, the less developed countries, the developing world and the Global South.
2. Analyse and evaluate the Western notion of development and its implications for the Global South;
3. Analyze the production of cultural understandings and representations of societies beyond the West;
4. Identify and evaluate normative questions about how and whether relations between the so-called developed and developing worlds should be changed or restructured;
5. Explain alternative knowledge and alternative ways of ‘making sense’ of politics in a global world.


Brief description

The main aim of this module is to turn the orthodox study of international politics on its head by introducing students to alternative ways of ‘making sense’ of development in a globalized world. The module challenges the Eurocentric grand narratives of development by studying the complexity of global politics, engaging with marginalized issues and voices. In particular, students are introduced to not only a critique of state-centric and Eurocentric IR and its implications for global politics, but will also study key issues and themes such as colonialism, culture, development, gender, identity, inequality, race, religion, resistance and social movements. The capacity to think about power relations from different global perspectives equips students with important transferable skills such as critical analysis and writing.

Content

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Themes covered during the module include the following:

• Theories of Development
• Global Development
• Failed states
• Ethno-politics and nationalism
• Culture and religion
• Gender and women
• Fair Trade
• Environmental issues

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number N/A
Communication Students will learn how to present their ideas verbally, in writing and how to present their arguments most effectively individually or as a group. They will learn the importance of information and clear communication and how to use these effectively. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to best advantage. They will learn to be clear in their writing and speaking and to be direct about aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic, focus and objectives of their argument or discussion. This module will particularly test aural and oral communication skills as it involves assessed seminar performance. Students to submit their written assignments in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication.
Improving own Learning and Performance The module aims to promote self-management. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and exercising their own initiative, including searching for sources and deciding the direction of their coursework and presentation topics. The need to prepare for assessed seminar participation and to meet coursework deadlines will focus students’ attention on the need to manage their time.
Information Technology Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format and to use online sources appropriately when conducting research.
Personal Development and Career planning This module is intended to advance and test skills of use to students in their working lives, particularly in speaking to small groups, listening, thinking and responding to the statements of others. Moreover, the written work includes writing clearly and concisely, which is a common task in the workplace. Students will be encouraged throughout to reflect on their performance and to consider lessons for future application.
Problem solving Independent project work and problem solving will be one central goal of the module; the submission of two written assignments and preparation for seminar discussions will require that students develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; consider extreme cases; reason logically; construct theoretical models; consider similar and dissimilar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems
Research skills Students will be required to undertake independent research when working on their essays. This will involve utilizing mostly academic texts. Students will in part be assessed on their ability to gather appropriate and interesting resources materials.
Subject Specific Skills The module will provide students with the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that will help them to understand, analyze and evaluate examples and ideas about war, politics and strategy. These subject specific skills include: • Collection and understanding of a wide range of data relating to the module • Evaluation of competing perspectives • Demonstration of subject specific research techniques • Application of a range of methodologies to various historical and contemporary cases.
Team work Students will engage in group activities during the seminars. For some of the topics on this module, seminars will consist of small-group discussions where students will be asked to discuss as a group.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5