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Module

EDU3012 : Contemporary Issues in Development

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Pauline Dixon
  • Lecturer: Dr Steve Humble
  • Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The main themes of the module are global health, environment and education. It examines the relationship between these issues focusing on the following areas:

• Global health priorities
• Environmental determinants of health
• Water, sanitation and hygiene
• The socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health and education within the contexts of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Education, health, well-being and security of people across the lifespan and across the globe
• The role of actors including governmental, academic and NGO players in each of the fields (health, education and environment)

By the end of this module students will be expected to understand contemporary global issues. These include the major challenges in global health, environment and education with a focus on the sustainable development goals, related targets and the decade of action. To demonstrate an understanding of key issues relating to global health, education and development and to be able to critically assess the key theories and debates in the literature on these issues.

Outline Of Syllabus

In this module students will develop knowledge around the contemporary issues in development. It explores the cultural, economic, geographical and social processes and contexts that determine health, education and environmental outcomes across the world.

There are 11 weeks made up of the 11 lectures and 11 seminars. Topics covered around globalization and development include:

Contemporary issues in Development
Development and Education
Health, development and poverty
Global health in a dynamic world
Social determinants of health and education
Climate Change, Environment and Development
Polycentricity and collective action regarding ecological sustainability
Development project planning and the project cycle.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials93:0027:00Each lecture there will be non-synchronous content to prepare the students for the lecture.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion186:0086:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture111:0011:00Lectures will consist of input together with interactive tasks and discussion
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities93:0027:00Reading around research & activities related to the themes considered, incl. formative and summative
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00Seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery111:0011:001 hr live chat or interview on Zoom. Main queries anonymously summarized on module discussion board
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study127:0027:00Directed research & reading, student-led group activity, reading on related topics with peers.
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures are followed by practical seminar sessions, which are also backed up with time for both independent study and further reading as directed during the sessions. The module aims to develop criticality as well as theoretical and practical understanding around contemporary issues in development. Theoretical learning with specific case studies and readings enable students to make connections and develop a sophisticated understanding of the themes, issues, concepts and policies.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation101M30Oral presentation around a topic taught during the module.
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1A70Essay - 3,500 words
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Oral Presentation1MMock presentation with formative feedback
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Formative assessment of students’ progress will occur throughout the seminars as per the expertise of the lecturers. The intention for the first summative assessment which is the oral examination through group presentations in the middle of the module allows students to be actively involved in the opportunity to develop their understanding of contemporary issues in development. Essential preparation for the assessed essay will be expressed during the opportunity students have to work together developing their oral, written and communication skills. The essay builds on the lecture and seminar content and guided independent study and is handed in after the module ends.

Reading Lists

Timetable