DV442 Half Unit
Key Issues in Development Studies
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Rajesh Venugopal
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Health and International Development and MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies. This course is available on the MSc in Economic Policy for International Development. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Places will be allocated with priority to ID and joint-degree students. If there are more ID and joint-degree students than can be accommodated, these places will be allocated randomly.
Deadline for application: You should make your request to take ID courses by 12 noon Friday 26 September 2025.
You will be informed of the outcome by 12 noon Monday 29 September 2025.
Students do not need to write a statement to apply for this course.
Not available to students enrolled on DV468 & DV469.
Course content
This course provides an inter-disciplinary introduction to development studies. We explore key issues such as the SDGs, states and markets, growth and redistribution, colonial legacies, gender, climate change, and demography in development (key issues may change from year to year).
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
There will also be a 1.5 hour exam revision session at the end of AT
Formative assessment
Essay (1500 words)
Students will submit one formative essay of 1500 words.
Indicative reading
The following are recommended basic readings for the course:
A Sen, Development as Freedom (Anchor, 1999).
Chang, H.J. (2002), Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective (London: Anthem Press).
Recommendation for students with little previous exposure to economic debates:
Chang, H.J. (2014). Economics: The User’s Guide. (London: Penguin Books).
Assessment
Essay (100%) in December
The assessment is a 48-hour take-home exam during the week commencing 15th December 2025.
Key facts
Department: International Development
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 153
Average class size 2024/25: 15
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication