International development: challenges for a world in transition
On this page
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown.
Summary
International development in its many manifestations presents the world with some of its most pressing challenges. This course explores the nature of those issues and responses to them, in the context of changing global, political and economic circumstances. The emphasis is on development needs wherever they arise, with their broadest global implications. The course looks critically at ideas about inequality and justice at both local and global levels, and the relationship between these levels. After an introduction to core debates and a discussion of transitions in the global economy, you’ll have the chance to explore in depth topics like sustainability, displacement, poverty, inequality and technology.
Course content
The course has two parts. Part 1 introduces the main issues, placing them in their historical context. The course book, Poverty and Development into the Twenty-first Century, considers the theoretical and historical accounts of the origins of inequality and poverty, and the emergence of this field of development in response. The concerns raised and the policy responses that seek solutions to the issues of transition, poverty and inequality, technology and knowledge, sustainability and displacement are also introduced. Audio CDs, DVDs and a study booklet Introducing Development, complete the study material for Part 1.
Part 2 offers five themes that explore in greater depth conceptual and practical aspects of development.
Transitions This theme builds on the historical and theoretical discussion of transitions in the global economy introduced in Part 1. It looks in detail at the case of China, considering processes of industrialisation as well as the broader aspects of economic, social and political transition. There is some discussion of the historical background to the current transition, with the main emphasis on contemporary experiences of transition in China in relation to broader global influences.
Poverty and Inequality offers an assessment of policies intended to reduce or eliminate poverty. Building on conceptual material introduced in Part 1, the theme emphasises the multidimensional nature of poverty and considers how and why its reduction and elimination have become a priority for development institutions. A variety of resources is drawn on to explore issues concerning the conceptualisation of poverty, how to measure poverty, poverty as lived experience, and different kinds of action on poverty.
Technology and knowledge Technology and knowledge are increasingly seen to drive the possibilities for growth and development. This theme raises questions about who creates and controls technology and knowledge, and to what ends. It explores the place of technology (in its many guises – soft/hard, simple/sophisticated) and ideas about the use of technology in enabling or constraining development. This theme is presented entirely online, except for its video and audio elements.
Sustainability considers the different meanings attached to sustainability and sustainable development. It assesses the implications for sustainability of different development processes and investigates alternative routes to sustainable development. In particular, it examines the links between the twin concerns of sustainable livelihoods and environmental sustainability in development policies, and how these are mediated by technologies and institutions.
Displacement explores the relationship between displacement and development in a world where movement from place to place happens for a wide variety of reasons. It considers how development theory and practice can go beyond a traditional emphasis on national development. The theme looks at international migration, development displacement, transnational NGO responses and urbanisation.
You study three of the above themes in Part 2. Transitions is a compulsory theme, but you may choose between Poverty and Inequality and Technology and Knowledge, and between Sustainability and Displacement.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course, but you are not assumed to have taken any other courses before this one. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
U213 is a compulsory course in our
- Diploma in International Development and Business Innovation (E32)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04) (with International Development)
- BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies (B11)
- Diploma in Environment and Development (D21)
U213 is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Environmental Studies (B19)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06)
- BSc (Honours) Technology (B20)
- Diploma in Health and Social Care (D10)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course includes a certain amount of visual material. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVDs, audio CDs.
You will need
Television, DVD and audio CD players. If you choose the Technology and knowledge option in Part 2 or if you want electronic tuition, you will need internet access and a computer as described below. If you choose these options, we expect you to be a competent computer user; the course does not teach IT skills. You should be familiar with common packages (such as Microsoft Office) and with using the internet (browsers, email, conferencing). You should also be able to download and install software.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Assessment is an integral part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. There is no substitution on U213.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for Recognition leaflet 3.2 Royal Town Planning Institute.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011 when it will be available for the last time.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Social Sciences.
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
Well, what to say. It took me a while to realise that I indeed learned something from that course. Some ...
Read more
I found this course a wonderful insight into the world of development and related topics. I was new to social ...
Read more
Course satisfaction survey
See the satisfaction survey results for this course.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
Browse the prospectus
Request a print prospectus
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.