AP1ID1-International Development: Global and Local Issues

Module Provider: Agr and Food Econ
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AP1ID2 International Development: Global and Local Issues
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Garth Holloway
Email: garth.holloway@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Identify the challenges currently confronting societies, governments, and households and examine how researchers seek to understand these challenges in order to enhance welfare, global sustainability, and the protection of rural livelihoods. In this module you will engage with a range of experienced practitioners and you will learn through diverse teaching methods, including assigned readings, participatory discussions, and directed exercises. These activities will help you understand the formal theories underpinning development processes and the nuances surrounding participatory governance, and will prepare you for future employment in fields of International Development.

Aims:
The aim of the module is to encourage participants to think widely about the nature and scope of development; to think about their own lives in relation to global developmental and environmental issues and to explore how these issues affect people in developed and developing countries. This will be done through presenting broad theoretical and historical perspectives on development as well as local case studies and providing information on policies in place to engage in these issues at global and local levels.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of the module the participants will be able to:
1. Understand and describe different development theories and their various interpretations
2. Discuss policies and intervention strategies adopted by national and international agencies to achieve development targets
3. Engage in informed debate about contemporary development concerns related to the environment, governance, human rights and civil society.
4. Explain the ways in which development issues affec t individuals and households, and how development actors (including government) respond.

Additional outcomes:
Through their individual study, students will develop further skills:

• literature search skills in consulting relevant library and internet resources.
• a raised awareness of, and sensitivity to, local development issues.
• in critical enquiry in relation to the experiences of others in development practice

Outline content:

• What is development? - theories of development and historical interpretations of development
• Development interventions - policies and strategies
• Livelihoods and poverty
• Social inclusion/exclusion - tackling inequalities
• Gender
• Development actors - the State, the market and civil society
• Current issues in development
• Case studies ( either thematic or country-specific to illustrate main issues)
• Food dem and and supply and allocation
• Food insecurity
• Theories of Famine
• A brief introduction to the household production model

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A variety of teaching methods will be used. Class sessions will include lectures, group discussions based on video clips or other media, and interactive learning with development practitioners and students from the North and South. Learning activities outside the classroom will involve guided reading.