London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Modules

Geographies of development [109]

The syllabus comprises five sections that introduce the key concepts and themes drawing widely on empirical examples and policy contexts. The course focuses on case study material from Latin America, South East Asia and Africa.

Section 1: Introduction and Theoretical Approaches:
Defining and Conceptualising Development: categorisations and definitions of the 'Third World' and development.
Changing Theoretical Perspectives: Modernisation Theory; Dependency Theory and Uneven Development; Neo-Liberalism and Structural Adjustment Policies; Sustainable Development and the environment.
Section 2: Population Change and Urbanisation:
Transforming Populations: Population growth and control; rural development; rural-urban migration and rural-urban linkages.
Urbanising for the Future: History, characteristics, and processes of urbanisation; access to shelter – housing, infrastructure and services.
Section 3: Economies and Development:
Industrialisation for Development: Patterns, trends and models of industrialisation; globalisation and industrialisation; gender and export-led industrialisation.
Making a Living in Cities: Urban labour markets - an overview; the informal sector- an engine of growth? Household survival strategies and women's work.
Section 4: Poverty, Gender Inequalities and Households:
Poverty, Vulnerability and Exclusion: Defining, measuring and conceptualising poverty; paradigms and theories of urban poverty; contemporary approaches to poverty – vulnerability, assets and exclusion.
Gender Inequalities: Changing nature of gender roles and relations.
Families and Households in Transition: urbanisation and changing household structures; women-headed households.
Section 5: Development Policies: From Macro-level to Grassroots:
Urban social planning; agencies of development; civil society and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), grassroots development organisations.