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Politics & Contested Development: Africa (DEVT90049)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
Availability | May |
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This subject introduces students to important debates on the role of formal and informal politics in development in Africa. The subject explores the contested processes of socio-economic and political-institutional change across a variety of contexts in sub-Saharan Africa, together with the underlying dynamics of identity formation and allegiance, state formation, power divides and conflict. The subject encourages students to think critically about the normative implications of different approaches to the politics of development, and the empirical challenges of working in what are, in development, highly politically charged environments. This subject examines key themes in the study of sub-Saharan African development, focusing on the political aspects of development, and applying theoretical and conceptual work in the field to the study of a range of particular development challenges facing the region. The course aims to provide students who have no prior study of Africa or African development with a foundation that can be used in further study. As such, the subject is selective in its choice of both general scholarly themes and empirical material.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to:
- Identify and critically engage with key contemporary debates about development in Africa, including those relating to colonialism and neo-colonialism, modernity, and neoliberalism/
- Identify and understand processes of identity formation and allegiance, and related political conflict in the African context and how these are underpinned by contested development paradigms and shape processes of development in Africa
- Explore the role of state, private, and non-state actors in development, and the place of gender in development policy and planning;
- Identify and understand some of the key issues in contemporary development in African including socio-economic and political inequalities, and the politics of land rights, land reform, natural resource access and use, democratisation, urban poverty, gender-based disadvantage, social conflict and race relations, migration, climate change, aid, humanitarian intervention and security;
- Develop analytical and some research skills in order to critically connect scholarly debates to contemporary development issues.
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should:
- Enhance their competence in critical thinking and verbal argumentation through participation in seminar discussions;
- Demonstrate a high level of competence in critical and theoretical thinking and argumentation in written form;
- Develop independent research skills, both desk-based and interview based; and/or develop critical policy analysis skills;
- Be able to implement academic protocols of research, writing and presentation;
- Be able to identify and analyse complex and on-going empirical development issues.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Undergraduate background in development studies, politics or area studies (Africa).
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 2,000 word critical review essay (45%) due 1 week after the intensive period.
- A 3,000 word research essay (55%) due during the examination period.
- Hurdle requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes, and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- May
Principal coordinator Rachael Diprose Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 32 Contact Hours: This subject is comprised of seminars and workshops delivered as an intensive over 4 days Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 5 May 2017 to 13 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 5 May 2017 Census date 19 May 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 June 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 May contact information
Time commitment details
Total 170 hours
Additional delivery details
Seminars/Workshops run from 9am until 5pm.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022