Foundations of Development aims to provide students with an understanding of the key theories, concepts and methods that inform thinking about international, national, regional and local development. The module will explore some of the historical experience of international development, as well as some of the most significant contemporary policy debates. A conception of development as the outcome of rapid national economic growth and industrialization on a universal model emerged in the wake of the Second World War. Development doctrine has since been shaped by neoliberal globalization, but also by concerns about the need for sustainable, participatory and gender sensitive processes at all levels of governance. The module charts these shifts in thinking about development as well as the tensions between approaches in the mainstream. It draws on varied critiques of development and its effects to evaluate its possibilities and limitations. It takes account of the challenge presented by environmentalism and considers alternative ideas on how to address global inequality. This module will be offered on the new BA Arts programme.

The module will consist of the following topics: 1: What is development? 2: Modernisation theories 3: Dependency theories 4: The Washington Consensus 5: Good governance 6: Human development 7: Social movements and NGOs: Development from Below? 8: Gender and development 9: Sustainable development 10: Post-development

On completion of this module students should be able to: - Discuss the central debates in development policy and practice - Explain the principal theories that underpin development policy and practice - Understand how the practice of development affects and is affected by forces and actors operating at local, national and international levels - Explain and evaluate key policy approaches and analyse them in relation to development practice and process

On completion of this module, students should be able to: - Demonstrate an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to questions of development and the complexity of such issues - Be aware that an understanding of development policy and practice is strengthened by interdisciplinary analysis and the theoretical perspectives of development.

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The module will be taught interactively using a range of pedagogic and investigative strategies. Both formative and summative assessments will be used to develop graduate attributes (Articulate, Creative, Proactive). Individual and group-work techniques will be employed and some activities will be carried out online to develop Collaborative and Responsible attributes. The module is designed so as to raise student awareness and knowledge of development in terms of global and personal social responsibility, ethical practices and sustainability. This will address graduate attributes - Knowledgeable, Responsible, Proactive. On completing the course students will be equipped with a basic knowledge of development issues and encouraged to develop judgement and interpersonal skills in various cultural settings (Knowledgeable, Articulate, Proactive, Creative). It will assist them to think critically and demonstrate competence and confidence in applying disciplinary knowledge.