BSc Global Development / Course details

This course unit examines the relationship between globalisation, poverty and inequality in the 21st century. Drawing on research in the disciplines of economics, human geography and politics, it introduces different approaches to conceptualising globalisation and current debates around global poverty and inequality. It examines the role of different development actors (such as states, international institutions, corporations and social movements) in both governing and contesting globalisation processes. Through in-depth case studies, the course explores various dimensions of globalisation (such as production, trade, finance, logistics, labour and urbanisation), and how these relate to poverty and inequality dynamics in specific geographical contexts. In addition, it critically evaluates contemporary policy approaches in order to analyse the practical challenges encountered when seeking to manage globalisation and address poverty and inequality.

The unit aims to:

1. Introduce different approaches to conceptualising globalisation
2. Provide an overview of current debates around global poverty and inequality
3. Examine the role of different actors in governing and contesting processes of globalisation 
4. Explore the various dimensions of globalisation, and how these relate to poverty and inequality dynamics in specific geographical contexts   
5. Critically evaluate policy approaches to managing globalisation and addressing poverty and inequality
6. Develop transferable skills, including developing an argument, participating in group discussions and communicating ideas both verbally and in writing

Structure

The course content will be divided into two parts. The first part will introduce different approaches to conceptualising globalisation, current debates around global poverty and inequality, and the role of different development actors in governing and contesting globalisation. The second part will apply these frameworks to specific cases through an in-depth examination of different dimensions of globalisation and their relationship with poverty and inequality dynamics.  

Overview

The course is delivered through weekly lectures and tutorials. In particular, the course will comprise:

• Weekly lectures (2 hours) that provide a critical overview of each topic and include opportunities for interaction through small group activities and discussion;
• Weekly tutorials (1 hour) that will employ a variety of group-based activities based on discussion of readings set in advance. In addition, assessed group presentations will take place in tutorials.

Lecture slides, reading lists and tutorial instructions will be provided on Blackboard in advance of each session.

• Distinguish between different approaches to conceptualising globalisation
• Describe current trends in global poverty and inequality
• Identify the role of different development actors at the international, national and sub-national levels in governing and contesting globalisation

• Analyse various dimensions of globalisation and their relationship with poverty and inequality dynamics
• Compare the relationship between globalisation, poverty and inequality in different geographical contexts
• Critically evaluate policy approaches to managing globalisation and addressing poverty and inequality

• Analyse the practical challenges encountered when addressing poverty and inequality in the context of globalisation 
• Collaborate effectively on projects as part of a team, taking joint responsibility for defining and reaching goals and producing outputs

• Develop a critical and analytical argument, making use of appropriate evidence
• Participate in group discussions
• Communicate ideas both verbally and in writing

Verbal feedback on contributions to tutorial activities will act as formative assessment to prepare students for this summative assessment.

Written feedback with summative assessment. The content and timing of feedback will be consistent with University policy.

Dicken, P. (2015). Global shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy. Sage.

Ritzer, G., & Dean, P. (2021). Globalization: A Basic Text, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons.

Veltmeyer, H., & Bowles, P. (Eds.). (2021). The essential guide to critical development studies, 2nd Edition. Routledge.

Ritzer, G., & Dean, P. (2021). Globalization: A Basic Text, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 2.

Dicken, P. (2015). Global shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy. Sage. Chapter 1.

Alami, I., Dixon, A. D., & Mawdsley, E. (2021). State capitalism and the new global D/development regime. Antipode, 53(5), 1294-1318.

Babb, S. (2013). The Washington Consensus as transnational policy paradigm: Its origins, trajectory and likely successor. Review of International Political Economy, 20(2), 268-297.

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.

Horner, R., & Hulme, D. (2019). From international to global development: new geographies of 21st century development. Development and Change, 50(2), 347-378.

Milanovic, B. (2016). Global inequality: a new approach for the age of globalization. Harvard University Press.