Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA1037: The Politics of Development

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

Module Aims

The module aims to provide you with a general introductory survey of the politics of development, focusing particularly on the Middle East, but also covering cases from Africa and Asia. The module will introduce you to the major theoretical debates in international development and the implications of different development definitions, as well as covering the core challenges of development and the role played by political institutions (domestic and international). Upon completion of the module, you will be equipped with an understanding of the effects of international aid as well as be able to situate development challenges within core international debates on development. The module furthermore provides a good foundation for further study of development and foreign assistance, such as e.g. authoritarian resilience and democracy support as well as, of course, Middle East studies in general.

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 an understanding of the major theories of the politics of development as well as the main forces, trends and characteristics of the domestic and international factors at play;
2. place contemporary political events in social and historical contexts and appreciate the role political institutions might play for development as well as understand some of the core challenges of development;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. relate political issues and trends to economic, societal and cultural dynamics, and to comprehend the interplay between these at the domestic and international levels;
4. relate socio-political and socio-economic phenomena at the local and international level;
Personal and Key Skills5. synthesize information from various sources into a coherent written argument displaying an understanding of the core debates around international development aid;
6. demonstrate good oral and written communication skills; and
7. demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team.