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POL324Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Politics Of Development & Underdevelopment

This course introduces students to the politics of development and underdevelopment, focusing on the developing world. It explores key issues such as revolution, cultural diversity, nationalism, authoritarianism, and democracy. The course examines how the integration of non-Western countries into global capitalism has shaped their political organization and cultural identity. Case studies of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Iran, and Nigeria are used to illustrate these dynamics, providing students with analytical tools to understand development challenges.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
DevelopmentUnderdevelopmentGlobalizationPolitical EconomyThird World

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Development Theories

2

Underdevelopment Causes

3

Globalization Impact

4

Role of External Agents

5

Case Studies of Emerging Economies

6

Political Systems and Development

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Development Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

International Relations Specialist

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Political Risk Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Diplomat

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)International Development AgenciesConsulting FirmsResearch Institutions

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

4h

Unit 1: What is Development?

4 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to understand the scope and objectives of the course.
  • •Familiarize yourself with the definition of development and its various interpretations.
  • •Reflect on the characteristics of development, such as infrastructure, security, and governance.
Week
2

Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

4h

Unit 2: What is Underdevelopment?

4 study hours
  • •Examine the concept of underdevelopment and its relationship to development.
  • •Identify the external and internal causes of underdevelopment in the Third World.
  • •Discuss the features of underdevelopment, such as low manufacturing and weak institutions.
Week
3

Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

8h

Unit 3: Theories of Development and Underdevelopment (Modernisation and Dependency as well as Sociological Theories)

5 study hours
  • •Compare and contrast Modernization and Dependency theories.
  • •Understand the key arguments and proponents of each theory.
  • •Apply these theories to analyze development and underdevelopment in different countries.

Unit 4: Critique of Modernisation and Dependency Theories

3 study hours
  • •Analyze the shortcomings of Modernization theory, including its ethnocentric bias.
  • •Evaluate the limitations of Dependency theory, such as its broad generalizations.
  • •Consider the strengths and weaknesses of both theories in explaining development.
Week
4

Module 1: Understanding Development and Underdevelopment

8h

Unit 5: Development in the Industrialised Economies

4 study hours
  • •Assess development in industrialized economies, considering both internal and external factors.
  • •Examine the Third World's contributions to the development of advanced countries.
  • •Reflect on the role of exploitation and resource extraction in global development.

Unit 6: Underdevelopment in Africa

4 study hours
  • •Analyze the specific challenges of underdevelopment in Africa.
  • •Identify internal impediments to Africa's development, such as corruption and political instability.
  • •Evaluate the role of leadership in addressing underdevelopment in Africa.
Week
5

Module 2: External Agents of Development and Underdevelopment in the Third World

8h

Unit 1: Global Capitalism and Globalisation

4 study hours
  • •Examine the impact of global capitalism and globalization on the Third World.
  • •Understand how globalization affects different nations differently.
  • •Discuss the role of the state in piloting the economy in the Third World.

Unit 2: Britton Woods Institutions (IMF and the World Bank)

4 study hours
  • •Analyze the contributions and limitations of the IMF and World Bank.
  • •Evaluate the impact of loan conditions on Third World development.
  • •Discuss the politics of funding and influence in global financial institutions.
Week
6

Module 2: External Agents of Development and Underdevelopment in the Third World

8h

Unit 3: Multination/Transnational Corporations (MNCs or TNCs)

4 study hours
  • •Analyze the activities of MNCs in developing countries.
  • •Pinpoint the contributions of MNCs to global development and underdevelopment.
  • •Discuss the pros and cons of MNCs in the Third World.

Unit 4: The Politics of Debt and Foreign Aid in Africa

4 study hours
  • •Examine how foreign aid is used to undermine Africa's development.
  • •Establish a link between debt and the crisis of development in Africa.
  • •Discuss the politics of foreign debt and aid in Africa.
Week
7

Module 2: External Agents of Development and Underdevelopment in the Third World

6h

Unit 5: North/South Dichotomy and the Search for a New International Economic Order

6 study hours
  • •Understand the causes of global inequality and the North/South dichotomy.
  • •Examine the call for a New International Economic Order.
  • •Analyze the reasons for the persistence of the status quo in global economic relations.
Week
8

Module 3: Revolution and Emerging Economies of Asia and South America

6h

Unit 1: The Rise of China

6 study hours
  • •Discuss the Chinese Revolution and its impact on development.
  • •Highlight post-Mao reforms on trade and investment.
  • •Explain the restructuring of the industrial sector in China.
Week
9

Module 3: Revolution and Emerging Economies of Asia and South America

8h

Unit 2: The Growing Economy of India

4 study hours
  • •Identify the era of government-planned and regulated economy in India.
  • •Discuss the gradual process of deregulation of the Indian economy and its impact.
  • •Explain the growth of the economy after the crisis-forced deregulation in 1991.

Unit 3: China and India on the March to the First World

4 study hours
  • •Analyze the concept of core states in the world economy.
  • •Measure Indian and Chinese economies against core states.
  • •State their position in the world economic system.
Week
10

Module 3: Revolution and Emerging Economies of Asia and South America

8h

Unit 4: Industrial Development in Brazil

4 study hours
  • •Understand the history and drivers of industrial development in Brazil.
  • •Analyze Brazil's economic policies and their impact on growth.
  • •Discuss Brazil's role in regional and global trade.

Unit 5: Industrial Development in Mexico

4 study hours
  • •Understand the history and drivers of industrial development in Mexico.
  • •Analyze Mexico's economic policies and their impact on growth.
  • •Discuss Mexico's role in regional and global trade.
Week
11

Module 4: Revolution, Religion, Military Rule and Democracy in the Third World

6h

Unit 1: The Iranian Revolution

6 study hours
  • •Examine the causes and consequences of the Iranian Revolution.
  • •Understand the role of religion in the revolution.
  • •Assess the impact of the revolution on Iranian development.
Week
12

Module 4: Revolution, Religion, Military Rule and Democracy in the Third World

8h

Unit 2: Military Rule and Third world Development

4 study hours
  • •Identify coup d'état as the method of military intervention in Third World politics.
  • •State reasons for military intervention in Third World politics.
  • •Highlight features of military rule and discuss the role of the military in the development of Nigeria.

Unit 3: Democratisation in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Outline the numerous definitions of democracy/democratization.
  • •Highlight some features of democracy.
  • •Identify democratization processes in Nigeria and enumerate the impact of democratization/democracy on the development of Nigeria.
Week
13

Module 4: Revolution, Religion, Military Rule and Democracy in the Third World

8h

Unit 4: Corruption as the Bane of Third world Development

4 study hours
  • •Understand the definition and causes of corruption.
  • •Highlight the dimensions of corruption in Africa.
  • •Discuss the effects of corruption on Africa's development.

Unit 5: Solutions to the Third world Underdevelopment

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the role of culture in resolving underdevelopment.
  • •Highlight the essence of good governance in development.
  • •Identify the importance of a diversified economy in development and discuss the power of zero tolerance for corruption in the development of Third World countries.
  • •Highlight the need for south-south cooperation.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and theories.

2

Develop comparative charts outlining the strengths and weaknesses of different development theories.

3

Practice applying development theories to analyze specific country case studies.

4

Review all tutor-marked assignments and feedback to identify areas for improvement.

5

Focus on understanding the historical context and political dynamics of each case study.

6

Create concept maps linking units on globalization, international organizations, and development challenges.

7

Allocate study time proportionally based on the weight of each module in the final examination.

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