121-204 Development and the Third World

Note

Available as 121-304 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Completion of 25 points of first year Geography or Sociology, or approval of the Subject Coordinator.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The subject is intended as an introduction to a range of Third World issues. These issues include: different perceptions of the Third World; quality-of-life and its measurement; access to healthcare; aid; industry and trade; employment; population; gender; the media; the role of the UN in resolving conflict. For each of these issues, links with development are explored. After completing the subject, students should be in a position to: recognise that perceptions of most issues differ according to the information sources selected, and the criteria used to measure them; demonstrate via mapping exercises an ability to identify most of the countries that collectively make up 'the world'; recognise that some things become clearer as the study progresses, but that others emerge as more complex and confusing; and see that there are positive achievements occurring throughout the Third World. Students will develop the ability to demonstrate in written submissions that development is a product of a complex mix of forces, some of which include political priorities, access to education and health facilities, regional cooperation or conflict, resource allocation, trade and industrial infrastructure, and levels of debt that need to be serviced. In teaching this subject, no distinction is made between lectures, tutorials and practical work.

Assessment

Two 2500 word essays; seminar exercises. Weightings of components of assessment will be announced at the start of the semester. Attendance at 80% or more of classes is required in order for students to qualify for assessment in this subject.