APG5229 - Prosperity, poverty and sustainability in a globalised world - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Arts

Organisational Unit

Human Geography

Coordinator(s)

Dr Simon Angus

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit examines the process of economic development and its effects on prosperity, poverty and sustainability. The unit begins by studying the sources of prosperity via economic growth in the modern era, with particular reference to the Great Divergence in incomes that started during the 1800s. Second, the unit asks why some economic systems have prospered, whilst others have declined by turning its attention to disparate experiences of world-wide economic growth such as poverty and starvation. Finally we study the effects and prospects for future economic development in the context of environmental sustainability and climate change.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should have developed:

  1. An understanding of economic analysis as a key tool in explaining and understanding the disparate levels of wealth observed in the modern world
  2. Knowledge of the key components of Economics thinking
  3. The ability to use this analysis to identify the underlying causes of economic prosperity, poverty and environmental degradation in the modern global economy
  4. Skills in critical analysis of policies aimed at alleviating global poverty such as the Millennium Development Goals, especially as they relate to sub-Saharan Africa
  5. Skills in the critical assessment of academic contributions to issues of economic development and growth

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50% + Exam: 50%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Environment and governance

International development practice

International development and environment

Prohibitions

ECF9530, ECC2800, APG4429, APG5429