MSc Global Development (Politics, Governance and Development Policy)
Year of entry: 2025
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Course unit details:
Citizen-Led Development
Unit code | MGDI60561 |
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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
The aim of this course unit is to understand and analyse the contribution of citizen and/or grassroots-led development to achieving inclusive and pro-poor development. The course provides a unique learning experience through a set of lectures given by members of Shack/Slum Dwellers International. To date, we have had community activists from SDI Federations in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Kenya come to Manchester for this teaching.
In its pedagogical approach – bringing community activists from informal settlements of the Global South to share their experiences and insight into the classroom – the course also seeks to bring alternative voices and perspectives into our construction of development knowledge. In doing so the course encourages students to reflect upon and draw across different forms of knowledge and assess their contributions to our understanding of development processes.
Aims
The aim of this course unit is to understand and analyse the contribution of citizen or grassroots-led development to achieving inclusive and pro-poor development, and to educate professionals about the contribution of urban poor groups to development.
Teaching and learning methods
This course does not run like standard modules. Following on from a series of lectures, in Reading Week we bring over SDI members for 1.5 days of intensive teaching workshops in the classroom. These are very interactive and participatory sessions, offering students the chance to gain unique insight into urban development challenges and processes and the opportunity to interact and ask questions with SDI members.
Blackboard is used as the platform for sharing information and resources about this course unit. The course handbook, e-copies of lecture presentations and any announcements related to the course are accessible through Blackboard. If for some reason you cannot access the course unit page let the course unit convenors know without delay. You must check your university email account regularly to receive any course updates through Blackboard.
Knowledge and understanding
- Be knowledgeable about challenges of urban poverty and the ways in which urban governance and politics may exclude certain groups of city residents.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the tools, methods, practices and rituals used by SDI affiliates and have an understanding of their significance to citizen, grassroots and community-led development.
Intellectual skills
- Understand the significance of citizen and grassroots-led development in terms of social justice, participation, rights-based approaches to development and empowerment
- Engage critically with relevant theories and conceptual frameworks.
- To reflect critically on what academic knowledge can learn from real-life insight from informal settlement residents, and vice versa.
Practical skills
- Have confidence working in small teams of classmates
- Have confidence in presenting to the class.
- Develop skills for presenting their research and findings to different audiences
- Begin to think about research skills through the ability to engage with and ask questions to SDI members.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Self awareness and an ability to take responsibility for your own learning
- Time management
- Confidence in justifying your arguments in front of others.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Written assignment (inc essay) | 75% |
Set exercise | 25% |
- Written assignment (2,250 words)
- Group blog (750 words)
Feedback methods
Feedbck will come through in-class interations; students have an opportunity to submit a one-page essay outline for feedback; formal feedback will be provided on assessed coursework.
Recommended reading
Bayat, A. (2000) From 'Dangerous Classes' to 'Quiet Rebels': Politics of the Urban Subaltern in the Global South. International Sociology 15 (3): 533-57
Satterthwaite, D. and D. Mitlin (2014) Reducing Urban Poverty in the Global South, Abingdon: Routledge (Especially chapters 4 Citizen-Led Poverty Reduction and 5 Understanding Pro-Poor Politics and Pro-Poor Transformation).
Mitlin, D. (2018) ‘Beyond contention: urban social movements and their multiple approaches to secure transformation’ Environment and Urbanization
Mitlin, D. (2008) ‘With and Beyond the State – Co-Production as a Route to Political Influence, Power, Transformation for Grassroots Organizations. Environment and Urbanization. 20(2): 339 – 360.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 8 |
Practical classes & workshops | 15 |
Tutorials | 4 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 123 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Smith Ouma | Unit coordinator |