DV477 Half Unit
Rural Livelihoods, Agrarian Transformation and Development
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof David Lewis
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (LSE and Peking University) and MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. 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. Non-ID/Joint Degree students will be allocated to spare places by random selection with the preference given first to those degrees where the regulations permit this option.
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.
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Knowledge of rural areas and relevant work experience is desirable but not essential. Knowledge of sociological and anthropological approaches to studying rural development also desirable.
Course content
This course considers: theories of rural development and transformation in the Global South; the history of rural development ideas and policies; the concept of sustainable livelihoods; technological change, agricultural research and extension; the roles of private and non-state actors; food systems and food security; climate change and rural-urban linkages.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the WT.
Formative assessment
Mock exam to take place in Week 9 of the Winter Term.
Indicative reading
A detailed reading list is included in the seminar programme. The following is an introductory reading list:
- J Boltvinik & SA Mann (eds.) Peasant Poverty and Persistence in the 21st century: Theories, Debates, Realities and Policies (2016);
- T M Li, Land's End: Capitalist Relations on an Indigenous Frontier (2014);
- P McMichael, Food Regimes & Agrarian Questions (2015);
- I Scoones, Sustainable Livelihoods and Rural Development (2015);
- A Shepherd, Sustainable Rural Development (1998);
- B Crow & H Bernstein (Eds), Rural Lives: Crises and Responses (1992);
- N Long, Development Sociology: Actor Perspectives (2001);
- Rural Development Report 2021: Fostering Inclusive Rural Transformation (IFAD, 2021).
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: International Development
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: Unavailable
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse 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
- Application of information skills
- Communication