Course Catalogue

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This course examines globalisation, development, and how these are experienced in different places, from a political economy perspective; with the idea of 'economy' analysed in relation to social, political, cultural and environmental processes. It explores what is meant by globalisation, how this has been shaped by national and supra-national institutions, and with what effects for people and their environments. Theories and concepts from political economy are applied to key questions in economic development, such as how sustainable development is defined and measured; the changing international division of labour; the roles of trade, multinational corporations and finance; migration; the problems of left-behind places and other inequalities. Using real-world examples from a variety of settings, it will explore different approaches to understanding and promoting development at global, national and local levels. No prior study of economics is required.

On-campus teaching:

2 hour per week lecture

1 hour per week seminar

Students should normally have achieved a D or better in any Level 1 Global Sustainable Development course to be admitted to this course.

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Assessment 1: Policy Analysis (50%)

Students will analyse a specific development policy with reference to the alternative approaches to understanding and measuring economic development covered in the course. 2,000 words.

This assessment predominantly addresses ILOs 2) and 3)

Assessment 2: Briefing Paper (50%)

Students are asked to prepare a briefing paper, aimed at policymakers, on in a specific case study region's development in its global context. 1,500 words.

 This assessment predominantly addresses ILOs 1) and 4)

This course aims to:

1. Familiarise students with the processes and institutions associated with globalisation.

2. Introduce students to foundational theories and concepts related to development from a political economy perspective.

3. Provide students with the theory, knowledge and skills with which to engage in critical analysis of different measures, goals and priorities for development, and associated policies and interventions.

4. Explore how these ideas can be applied at global and local levels and in different contexts, through case studies in both urban and rural settings and in the global north and south.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Contextualise the idea of globalisation in historical terms with reference to significant global trends and institutions of global governance, and explain the impacts of these in different places.

2. Synthesise a range of evidence to address key questions in development across different scales.

3. Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different definitions and frameworks to measure sustainable development.

4. Apply fundamental concepts, theories and disciplinary perspectives to the analysis of global sustainable development and to the relationships between economic activity and social and environmental systems.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.