Development Studies: The Emergence of Underdevelopment - COMD1001

   
 
School:  Dept of Spanish & Latin Amer
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
 
 
Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
None
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description


Introduces and analyses the emergence in the pre and post industrial world of notions of progress and development and relates them to the emergence of a modern world characterised by poverty, conflict, and socio-economic inequalities. Examines the transformation of the modern world via an analysis of different and often overlaping modes of production including hunter/gatherer, tributary (agricultural) and capitalist modes. Examines the emergence and characteristics of contemporary debates around issues of 'development', 'imperialism' and 'globalisation'.


Learning Outcomes


On completion of this course, students should:
  • Have an understanding of the contested concept of development
  • Appreciate some of the different ways humans have organised production and distribution, including in hunter/gatherer, agricultural and capitalist societies
  • Be able to critically evaluate the stage theory of development via analysis of Karl Marx's Mode of Production thesis
  • Understand the relationship of belief systems to economic, political and social organization
  • Be able to explain the importance of European expansion from the late fifteenth century in terms of the shift towards a rich world and a poor world
  • Understand the significance of the industrial revolution and the nature of the new class formations that accompanied it
  • Have a grasp of the history of capitalist expansion to World War II
  • Understand the importance of imperialism and colonialism in generating uneven and unequal development.

Assessment


  • Essay 1 (1500 words) - 30%
  • Essay 2 (2500 words) - 50%
  • Tutorial participation - 20%