Programme summary for BA (Hons) International Development
"I chose to study International Development because I wanted to make a difference in the world"
For more information contact:
Susannah Pickering-Saqqa - Programme Leader
Tel: 020 8223 2542
E-mail: s.pickering-saqqa@uel.ac.uk
or
Diane Ball - Administrator
Tel: 020 8223 2770
E-mail: d.m.ball@uel.ac.uk
About the programme
The majority of the world’s population lives in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. The International Development degrees consider societies in these regions, their relationship to the rest of the world, and the contrasting economic and political fortunes of countries within those regions
The study of International Development: the Third World is interdisciplinary. Drawing from economics, politics, sociology, cultural studies and history, it explores the following big questions:
- To what extent are the United Nations Millennium Development Goals moving the bottom billion out of poverty? What should happen in 2015 when the deadline for completing the MDGs expires?
- With powerful Multi-national corporations and a budding global civic society, how does the ‘third world’ fit into the dynamic landscape of today’s International Order?
- What does it mean for development that myspace and facebook have over 250 million users?
- What is the role of the market in the resource allocation of the economy, and what about the commons?
- What can the ‘third world’ learn, and what can we learn from the ‘third world’?
- In the many globalisations, where do the poor fit? What can be learned from the development cases of Argentina, Bangladesh and China?
- Can sustainability and development be compatible? Does India show a way forward?
- Why has Africa become poorer in the last thirty years? What is happening in Asia due to the financial crisis?
- Has Latin America found a new model of development?
- How can the capabilities approach and the study of wellbeing help us better understand multi-dimensional poverty?
- How can we improve the wellbeing of those often left behind by policy?
Programme structure
Modules include:
Level 1
- AI 1201 Poverty, Inequality and International Development
To introduce students to the key contemporary debates in poverty, inequality and development through using an inter-disciplinary approach incorporating socip-economic, political and cultural perspectives.
Key areas include:- Development as an economic and non-economic process: What are the linkages between poverty and inequality,?
- History of development I: What is the impact of colonialism?
- History of development II: What were the key features of development between 1945 and the 1970s?
- Globalisation: What were the causes and consequences of the debt crisis and structural adjustment and what have been the main features and consequences of contemporary globalisation?
- Population, Resources & Hunger: Is the world over-populated? What are the causes of famine and malnutrition and how might they be prevented?
- Technology & Development: Is science and technology the solution?
- Sustainable Development: What is sustainability? How far can economic growth be reconciled with environmental protection and what are sustainable livelihoods?
- Refugees: What are the main causes and consequences of forced migration?
- War: What are the main causes of conflict?
- Social movements and the emergence of non-governmental organisations.
- AI 1000 Study Skills
- To provide students with the core skills necessary for the study of Anthropology, International Development and International Politics, and to provide a basis for future skills development throughout the degree.
- To cultivate a learning environment that emphasises the importance of language and expression.
- To develop academic research and writing skills and to engage in the process of drafting and revision effectively.
- To develop a critical understanding of some of the key concepts in the field.
- AI 1203 Political Economy of International Development
To provide students with an introductory understanding of:
- Political economy and development economics as fields of enquiry;
- The main theoretical approaches and models within political economy/development economics and their relevance to developing economies today;
- Key issues and debates within contemporary political economy/development economics.
- AI 1206 The International Order
- To provide students with an understanding of the international context that shapes political, social and cultural relations between industrialised and developing countries
- To provide an understanding of the role of UN agencies, the IMF, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation in shaping contemporary development.
- AI 1205 Introduction to NGO Management
- To provide an introduction to the organisational and managerial principles of the non-governmental organizations:
- To examine current models of planning and good practice in the voluntary sector and to contrast these with private and public sector models;
- To evaluate the increasingly important role of the non-governmental organizations in international development.
- AI 1202 Imperialism: Economy, State and War
To introduce students to the causes and consequences of the current era of wars and occupations, including the resurgence of inter-state rivalries and the transformation of international development since the end of the Cold War.
Key areas include:
- Phases of Capitalism, Colonialism and Development
- Emergence of Modern Imperialism, 1870-1914.
- Theories ofImperialism and World Economy.
- Britain's rise and decline as an imperial power.
- America's global ascendancy.
- Post-war recovery to crisis: the IMF, the World Bank and the breakdown of the post-WW2 monetary system.
- Imperialism without colonies : the End of Empire and the Third World after Colonialism.
- Era of Structural Adjustment : third world debt, civil wars, and 'failed' states.
- The unravelling of the 'New World Order' and the meaning of the 'war on terror'.
- Imperial Crusades: the Middle East, the Balkans and Central Asia.
- The Global Financial Catastrophe : the road to slump and deglobalisation?
- The 'New Imperialism': advocates and opponents in the contemporary debate.
- AI 1306 International Relations: Issues and Approaches
- To introduce students to the study of international relations through the examination of a range of global issues and three main approaches to International Relations including Realism, Liberalism and Marxism. Key areas include:
- Conflict and co-operation
- The rise and fall of great powers
- Human Rights
- The global environment
- International law
- Gender equity
- Culture in world affairs
- Humanitarian intervention
- International terrorism and crime
- The contemporary international scene
Levels 2
- Development Theory and Practice and Employability Skills
- Globalisation: anti, alter and development
- Colonialism and Development
- Choice from a range of optional modules on:
- Gender and Development
- Sustainable Development
- Refugees and Development
- School/University wide options
Levels 3
- Thesis/Research Project
- Optional modules on:
- Food and Hunger
- Conflict and Intervention
- Range of other subjects at School/University level
- Overseas Semester
You are also able to study for one semester at any university in a developing country. Previously, students have studied in Africa, Asia or Latin America, experiencing different cultures first hand.
Career opportunities
This degree prepares you for roles in development agencies and aid/relief organisations, as well as human rights, charitable and voluntary bodies. You can also work as a Third World specialist in a range of organisations not primarily devoted to development, for example in the civil and foreign service, media, education, and trans-national companies.
Support
Students have regular access to academic tutors on each of their modules. At the programme level, each student has a personal tutor responsible for providing regular guidance and support in relevant areas of personal and academic life. Additional support for study and research skills will be available in weekly workshops and via the School’s Student Support & Referral Unit.
Admission
The minimum requirements for entry for Level 1 entry is 240 UCAS tariff points from:
A/AS level (Including 2 A2 passes), GNVQ, AVCE, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate. European Baccalaureate, BTEC / SCOTEC Diploma, Relevant Access Course or successful completion of the Level 0. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.
Applicants who do not fulfil the admission requirements for Level 1 may be considered for entry into Level 0. Applicants should have 40 UCAS tariff points from GCE A2 or equivalent.
We also welcome applications from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this programme will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject. Applicants may be invited for interview.
Overseas Qualifications
The number of overseas qualifications which are accepted for entry are too numerous to list, but you can get advice from the British Council or our admissions unit on 020 8223 2835. You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. For level 1 entry a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 (no skill level below 5) and for Level 0 entry an IELTS score of 5.5 (no skill level below 5) would be required.
- To provide students with the core skills necessary for the study of Anthropology, International Development and International Politics, and to provide a basis for future skills development throughout the degree.
- To cultivate a learning environment that emphasises the importance of language and expression.
- To develop academic research and writing skills and to engage in the process of drafting and revision effectively.
- To develop a critical understanding of some of the key concepts in the field.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
Apply online International Development (BA (Hons))
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