Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC3103: The Resource Paradox: Blessing or Curse?

This module descriptor refers to the 2024/5 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Module Aims

This module aims to enable you:

-       To introduce mainstream and critical understanding about the relationship between resources and development from an international perspective

-       To link theory to a range of case studies and give students opportunity to research contemporary empirical cases

-       To familiarize students with an inter-disciplinary literature which engages the social, political and economic impacts of resource extraction and resource conflict across the globe

-    To challenge and engage with complex empirical cases from a range of levels of analysis

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge about resource extraction and resource conflict, with reference to state of the art theoretical debate as well as empirical examples
2. Demonstrate in depth understanding of debates about international concepts of and approaches to development, and criticism of them
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Assimilate taught materials and utilize them to critically analyse and evaluate conflict case studies
4. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of major political theories and understandings of how to apply them to empirical case studies identified in the course
5. Synthesise a range of literatures
6. Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical arguments within a significant sub-sector of academic and practitioner interest
Personal and Key Skills7. Research and write critically and analytically
8. Communicate complex arguments effectively through written submissions intended for a range of audiences
9. Communicate and defend stakeholder positionality