Development and the State (L2128)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

How can states pursue forms of development that are more or less emancipatory to marginalised peoples?

On this module, you’ll explore the role of the state in development. You’ll approach this topic through:

  • theoretical perspectives: investigating key debates in state theory and the relationship between the state and development
  • empirical analysis: studying historical and contemporary state forms and their impacts on development processes
  • normative questions: considering what the nature and role of the state should ideally be.

You’ll cover the major theoretical approaches to understanding the state, as well as historical state forms. This includes the development experiences of both the Global North and the post-colonial South.

Teaching

50%: Lecture
50%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: