Critical Approaches to Development Economics (L2147)

15 credits, Level 5

Autumn teaching

On this module, you'll critically engage with the dominant approaches to development economics, which heavily influence international development policy and decision-making. You'll examine how these approaches, rooted in Global North traditions, shape economic analysis and policy design.

In addition, you'll explore alternative perspectives from the Global South, drawing on ideas and theories from Latin American, Caribbean, African, and South Asian thinkers. These perspectives will help you address contemporary economic challenges such as:

• rising inequality
• (de)growth and sustainable development
• debt crises
• climate change.

This module equips you with the tools to think critically about development economics and its global implications, resulting in an inclusive and diverse understanding of economic challenges and solutions.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 30 hours of contact time and about 120 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.