Law

Law and Development

Module code: M3112
Level 6
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay

This module will cover the role of law and the legal system in human 'development' in 'developing' countries. We will explore how the law can affect the 'development' of a country and how the mode of development affects legal change.

You will first engage with a critical understanding of the history and theory of law and development and engage with postcolonial crirtiques of law. The module will then examine specific topics including:

• access to justice
• human rights in the development process
• governance, democracy and development
• technical legal assistance
• foreign direct investment.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the history and theory of law's impact on `development processes'.
• Evaluate the operation of the law in `development processes' and the impact of `development' on the operation of legal systems.
• Use both legal and non-legal research resources in order to complete a piece of independent research which relates to the course.
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the debates in relation to the concept of `development' and the role of human rights in relation to the concept of `development' and `development processes'.