Handbook

Poverty is still a global scourge and will not disappear without action. This subject provides students with an interdisciplinary introduction to the theoretical approaches, key actors and contemporary issues in international aid and development. It explores what the concept of 'development' means and how historical experience has influenced the evolution of theories of development. It studies the roles of key actors in development, including the state, international organisations, civil society organisations and multinational corporations. In addition, case studies of a range of topical development issues will be undertaken, for example; gender and development, microfinance, rural development, agriculture, environment, and health and sanitation. The subject has a strong practical focus on how aid programs are developed and run, and students will critically assess the successes and failures of projects and evaluate whether aid is effective.