Culture and Development in Africa

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
This module explores the relationship between culture and development in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa from theoretical and policy perspectives. Students analyse key social, cultural and development processes and contemporary issues affecting Africa at a range of geographical scales.

Aims:
This module aims to examine the concepts of culture and development in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa from both theoretical and policy perspectives. The course critically engages with key social, cultural and development processes and debates at a range of geographical scales, including the global, national, community, household and individual levels.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of this Module it is expected that a student will be able to:

? Describe and analyse a range of socio-cultural and development issues and debates in contemporary African societies
? Critically analyse the cultural and development processes that lead to the marginalisation of particular social groups in a range of contexts in sub-Saharan Africa
? Critically evaluate research on postcolonial and development geographies within African contexts
? Critically evaluate policy approaches to culture and development in Africa
? Demonstrate research skills and a critical engagement with contemporary cultural development issues in Africa through planning and writing a project proposal.

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of skills of critical reading, oral communication and proposal writing skills. This will be achieved through students? individual reading, research and preparation of a project proposal and contributions to seminars.

Outline content:
The module examines the concepts of culture and development in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa from both theoretical and policy perspectives. The course will explore the ways that culture and identity intersect with development processes at a range of geographical scales, including the global, national, community, household and individual levels. Students will analyse the social, cultural and development processes that lead to the marginalisation of particular social groups in contemporary African societies, including gender relations, childhood and youth, race and postcolonial legacies, sexualities, disability and care. These processes will be examined through an analysis of the cultural dimensions of a range of development issues in Africa, including HIV, access to education, human rights and cultural practices, land access and rural spaces, cities and urbanisation, displacement and forced migration.

Global context:
This module focuses on culture and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. It analyses the ways that international development and global human rights discourses and practices affect the everyday lives of people in diverse African contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and video material.

Contact hours:
Lectures 20
Seminars 8
Tutorials 2
Guided independent study 169
Total hours by term 199

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 40
Written assignment including essay 50
Oral assessment and presentation 10

Other information on summative assessment:
Coursework (60%):
A 2500 word project proposal (50%)

Seminar presentation and discussion (10%)

Examinations (40%):
One paper of one and a half hours.

Formative assessment methods:
Seminar discussions of preparatory reading, activities and discussions about developing a project proposal and preparing for exams.

Length of examination:
One and a half hours

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination or resubmission of coursework in August/September