Course unit details:
Poverty and Development
| Unit code | MGDI60141 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course examines the relationship between poverty and development in the 21st century. It introduces and critically evaluates different approaches to defining, measuring and explaining poverty. It explores the causes of characteristics of different types of poverty, such as rural and urban poverty. The role of different actors, such as states, international institutions and social movements in reducing poverty is explored. In addition, the post-2015 global poverty agenda and the relationship between global governance and poverty reduction is examined. Through in-depth case studies, the course explores different approaches to poverty reduction and the challenges associated with addressing poverty in diverse contexts. Adopting a global development approach, the course examines the continued production of poverty in rich countries and compares the causes and characteristics of poverty in the global North and South.
Aims
The unit aims to:
- Introduce and critically evaluate different approaches to defining, measuring and explaining poverty
- Explore the causes and characteristics of different types of poverty, such as rural and urban poverty
- Discuss the role of different actors, including states, international institutions and social movements, in addressing poverty
- Examine the post-2015 global poverty agenda and the relationship between global governance and poverty reduction
- Critically analyse different approaches to poverty reduction and the challenges encountered when addressing poverty in diverse contexts
- Compare the causes and characteristics of poverty in the global North and South
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and learning will be centred around 9 lecture sessions and three tutorial sessions. Lectures will combine presentation of the learning material with interactive activities. Tutorials encourage students to engage critically with the learning material through group activities, presentations and debates.
Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to:
- Distinguish between different approaches to defining, measuring and explaining poverty
- Explain the causes and characteristics of different types of poverty in diverse contexts
- Identify different approaches to poverty reduction and the role of various actors in addressing poverty
Intellectual skills
Students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate different approaches to defining, measuring and explaining poverty
- Analyse different approaches to poverty reduction and the challenges encountered when addressing poverty in different contexts
- Compare the causes and characteristics of different types of poverty in diverse contexts
Practical skills
Students will be able to:
- Analyse the practical challenges encountered when addressing poverty in diverse contexts
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Students will be able to:
- Develop and structure a critical and analytical argument
- Gather and make use of appropriate evidence to support analyses
- Work towards deadlines
- Participate in group discussions
- Express themselves verbally and in writing
- Demonstrate critical thinking
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 100% |
- Written assignment (3,000 words)
Feedback methods
Detailed written feedback provided.
Recommended reading
Crane, A., Elwood, S., & Lawson, V. (2020). Re‐Politicising Poverty: Relational Re‐ conceptualisations of Impoverishment. Antipode, 52(2), 339-351.
Fischer, A. M. (2018). Poverty as ideology: rescuing social justice from global development agendas. Zed Books.
Hickel, J. (2016). The true extent of global poverty and hunger: questioning the good news narrative of the Millennium Development Goals. Third World Quarterly, 37(5), 749-767.
Hulme, D. (2015) Global Poverty: Global governance and poor people in the post-2015 era. Routledge.
Lawson, V. & Elwood, S. (eds.) (2018) Relational Poverty Politics: Forms, Struggles, and Possibilities, University of Georgia Press.
Mitlin, D. and Satterthwaite, D. (2013) Urban Poverty in the Global South: Scale and Nature, London and New York: Routledge.
Moser, C. (Ed.) (2016) Gender, asset accumulation and just cities: Pathways to transformation. Routledge.
Roy, A. & Crane, E. S. (eds.) (2015) Territories of poverty: Rethinking north and south, University of Georgia Press.
Sheppard, E., Sparks, T., & Leitner, H. (2020). World class aspirations, urban informality, and poverty politics: A North–South comparison. Antipode, 52(2), 393-407.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 1 |
| Tutorials | 6 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 125 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Thomas Gillespie | Unit coordinator |