Module description
This module approaches development geography from decolonial and radical perspectives, foregrounding the voices and perspectives of the global majority and with a particular focus on race and intersectionality.
Starting from the position that mainstream ‘modernisation-as-development’ is a political project shaped by coloniality, we begin by exploring the enduring impacts of colonialism and imperialism on the lived experiences of people across the global South today. We will examine the logics, drivers, and impacts of mainstream development practice, and review critical perspectives that highlight many of its failures. The module also explores alternative visions of development, and alternatives to development. We examine the contributions of key thinkers and social movements to efforts to decolonise intellectual traditions and development practice, and decolonial critiques of modernity.
The module will prepare students for development-related courses in their third year and assist in the selection of dissertation topics which relate to themes of development, (de)coloniality, social movements, and the global South.
Assessment details
1 x Examination, 100% of mark
Educational aims & objectives
To apprise students of the debates about the meaning of the term 'development' and the different ways of measuring 'development'.
To apprise students of theoretical changes in development geography, including postmodern and postcolonial theories and to enable students to understand how these have shaped policy and influenced the economic trajectories of different countries.
To develop a critical understanding of contemporary development policy approaches.
To develop an awareness of how patterns of wealth and welfare vary both between and within developing countries, in particular the importance of a geographical understanding of the connections between different spaces of affluent consumption and impoverishment.
To develop an awareness of selected processes operating within developing countries which affect their rural, urban and population geography.
To develop an appreciation of the links between regional expertise and development practice.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of radical and decolonial critiques of mainstream development theory and practice.
- Apply critical thinking skills to assess alternatives to mainstream development and alternatives to development.
- Apply their knowledge to articulate their own position on debates about how to define, measure, and achieve 'development’.
Teaching pattern
20hrs lectures & Seminars/workshops