International Development - MA

This module looks at the historical evolution of international patterns of production and consumption and how mainstream theoretical approaches understand and explain ‘who gets what, when, where and how’.

This module considers alternative approaches to mainstream economic theories of international development and raises questions with regard to the promotion of social justice and environmental sustainability.

It encourages you to reflect upon current patterns of trade as dominated by neo-liberal economic policies and challenges you to engage with alternative visions and proposals for international development.

In order to highlight the importance of cultural factors within international development, this module focuses on aspects of personal and community identities and how these can play a significant role in how development policies and practices are implemented and experienced.

Despite gender issues having been increasingly mainstreamed in international development institutions there remain significant gender-based inequalities. This module considers the underlying causes and consequences of these inequalities and how these are being addressed.

You will learn to contextualize your intercultural knowledge, develop your own research and adopt a dialectical approach for an in-depth analysis of any cultural situation or context.

In this module, you will learn a range of practical skills for carrying out research in a global context. The primary goal is to prepare you to conduct independent research, and equips you with the skills needed for completing your dissertation.

You will become familiar with a range of primary and secondary sources, as well as a variety of comparative and field-based research approaches.

This module addresses the concepts of planning, evaluating and reviewing professional development. Via a work-based placement, you will critically reflect upon the processes of professional development required for employment in the field of international development.

This module allows you to undertake original and independent research on a chosen issue within International Development, and to produce a substantial piece of critical writing.

Following on from the Research Methods module, you will receive guidance in developing an effective and doable dissertation through research design and implementation, to analysis and writing.