GY211      Half Unit
Introduction to Global Development

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Prof Claire Mercer

Availability

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development. This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Geography with Economics, BSc in International Relations, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.

This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis

Course content

An introduction to the key ideas, issues and actors in global development. Course content includes theories, histories and geographies of development, debt and structural adjustment, poverty, aid, civil society, diasporas.

Teaching

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.

Formative assessment

Students will produce one formative assignment.

 

Indicative reading

  • Kothari, U (ed) (2005), A Radical History of Development Studies: Individuals, Institutions and Ideologies, Zed, London.
  • Murrey, A. and P. Daley (2023) Learning disobedience: decolonizing development studies, Pluto Press,
  • Power, M (2003), Rethinking Development Geographies, Routledge.
  • Williams, G, P Meth, and K Willis (2009), Geographies of Developing Areas: The Global South in a Changing World, Routledge.
  • Willis, K (2011), Theories and Practices of Development, Routledge, 2nd edition.

Assessment

Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period

Students will sit an exam (answer 2 questions from 5).


Key facts

Department: Geography and Environment

Course Study Period: Winter Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 5

CEFR Level: Null

Keywords: global development, colonial history, aid, debt, civil society

Total students 2024/25: Unavailable

Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable

Capped 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course 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
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication