Postgraduate Course: Dynamics of African Development (PGSP11581)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Africa is a continent undergoing socioeconomic change at an unprecedented speed. It contains the world's fastest growing economies and populations yet rates of poverty remain high and new forms of exclusion and inclusion influence political and social dynamics. Africa as people, place and idea has shaped our modern world in fundamental ways. Drawing on academic literature and empirical research this course explores how various strategies employed over the decades since colonial times to bring about social, political and economic transformation in Africa have framed and defined Africa. It discusses key issues in African development issues including the role of the state, economic change, land, conflict, the informal economy and democracy. The course aims at providing a platform to discuss poverty, development and the challenges of realising justice in contemporary Africa. |
| Course description |
While exploring scholarly texts, videos and representations in popular culture, students in this course will gain familiarity with academic and policy debates about development in sub-Saharan Africa and will deepen their understanding of theories on the nexus between poverty, wealth and political change in Africa. Students will enhance their ability to contextualise these theories against the historical background and debates about contemporary Africa and its place in the world.
This course is taught entirely online in a virtual learning platform called Learn. The course is delivered through pre-recorded lectures, weekly readings, and student engagement with the material through online asynchronous discussion boards as well e-tivities across the semester.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Roots of African Poverty and Development (Distance Learning) (PGSP11320)
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Other requirements | This course replaces PGSP11320 Roots of African Poverty and Development. Students who have studied Roots of African Poverty and Development are not eligible to take this course.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2025 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
60% of the course assessment will be based on a final essay (2500 words)
20% of the course assessment will be based on a portfolio of two online activities. Activities that can count towards the portfolio selection will be indicated on Learn. These may be blog posts, posters, policy briefings, case study reports, etc.
20% based on participation in the weekly discussion forums. Marking criteria will be available on Learn. |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided for all assignments. Students can submit an essay plan for formative feedback. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major historical factors affecting development in Africa
- Critically understand how major development theories have been applied in practice in African countries
- Critically examine the social, political and economic factors affecting development strategies in African countries
- Convey information and analysis regarding development issues in African countries to a range of potential audiences
- Formulate and articulate arguments related to key aspects of the contemporary dynamics of development in African countries
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Reading List
Adesina, J.O., Yao Graham and A. Olukoshi (2006) Africa & Development. Challenges in the New Millennium
Ake, C. (1996) Democracy and Development in Africa
Ferguson, James (1990) The Anti-Politics Machine
Kothari, Uma (2005) A Radical History of Development Studies: Individuals, Institutions and Ideologies
Lockwood, Matthew (2005) The State They're In. An Agenda for International Action on Poverty in Africa
Nugent, Paul (2004) Africa since Independence
Nyang'oro, J.E. and T. Shaw (1995) Beyond Economic Liberalisation in Africa: Structural Adjustment and the Alternatives
Binns T., Kenneth L. & Etienne Nel, 2018 The Routledge Handbook of African Development
Agupusi, P. & Okereke, C. 2015 Homegrown Development in Africa: Reality Or Illusion? Routledge
Agnes Andersson Djurfeldt, Fred Mawunyo Dzanku, and Aida Cuthbert Isinika (eds) 2018 Agriculture, Diversification, and Gender in Rural Africa. Longitudinal Perspectives from Six Countries
Rodney, Walter (1972) How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
Collier, Paul (2007) The Bottom Billion: Why the poorest countries are failing and what can be done about it |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ian Russell
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Maria Brichs
Tel: (0131 6)51 3205
Email: |
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