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SOC41120

Academic Year 2024/2025

Human Development Challenges in the Global South (SOC41120)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Emeka Dumbili
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The world around us is fast changing, and every society faces multiple naturally induced and human-made critical challenges it must grapple with. While some of these issues are agelong, others, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are recent. In this module, we will critically examine and analyze the dynamics of human development challenges in the Global South (GS) in light of the changing world and innovative ways of proffering context-specific yet globally relevant solutions to tackle them. We will explore relevant and contemporary cultural, environmental, health, political, and socioeconomic topics such as disease outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19 and vaccine capitalism), commercial and political determinants of health inequity, corruption and their effects on human development, and planetary health and activism. Among other topics, we will also explore migration, organized crime, and terrorism, as well as how they affect human development in the Global South and strategies to initiate behaviour change.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the Module, students should be able to:
1. Critically understand, appraise and explain diverse (environmental, health, political, socioeconomic, etc.) challenges facing the Global South and their connections with the Global North.
2. Students should be able to identify the source(s) of these challenges and the extent to which they affect each continent or country in the Global South.
3. Students will develop the necessary critical academic and analytical skills required to recommend policies and proffer lasting and valuable solutions to the challenges of the Global South.
4. Appraise the workability of the solutions to (economic, environmental, health, and socio-political) the challenges facing the South and the transferability of such solutions to the Global North.

Indicative Module Content:

In this module, we will explore the following topics:
- Introduction to Global Challenges (with emphasis on the South).
- Corruption and Human Development in GS
- Foreign Aid and Development in GS
- Other specific Human Development Challenges facing the Global South (GS) we will consider include. 'Health' and
Development:
• Special topics we will consider include – Disease outbreaks and pandemics such as COVID-19. We will also consider
sociocultural issues relating to gender inequalities.
• Vaccine capitalism, inequality, vaccine resistance, etc.
- Commercial Determinants of Health in GS
- Climate Change, Activism and Human Development in GS
- Conflict, Violence, and War in GS
- Migration, Activism, and Policies in GS
• We will answer the questions: what is the major cause(s) of migration in GS, and what are the effects on both GS and North)? How do we proffer useful solutions to both the GN and GS?
- International Organized Crime in the GS and Implications for Development
• Illegal mining of natural resources as an organised crime
• Terrorism networks
• Drug Trafficking, amongst other challenges.
• Students will be able to understand the social process and practices of organised crime, the systemic network of operation of
crime syndicates, and how their activities affect human development).
• What are the solutions to these challenges?

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

222

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
We will approach this module using a number of methods, such as lectures and class discussions and presentations. Efforts will be made to provide relevant materials, and students will be expected to actively participate in various ways throughout the term through interactive sessions.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Reflective Assignment: Students will participate in a reflection exercise and share how their learning experiences developed in the course and to what extent they are equipped to provide solutions to global challenges. Week 9 Graded No

40

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will prepare a case study on any challenges facing a country or continent in the Global South using one of the following formats: essay, infographic, PowerPoint, or video. Week 14 Graded No

60

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Bardhan, P. (2017). Corruption and development: a review of issues, Journal of Economic Literature 35 (3):1320-1346.

Gilmore, A. B., Fabbri, A., Baum, F., Bertscher, A., Bondy, K., Chang, H. J., ... & Thow, A. M. (2023). Defining and conceptualising the commercial determinants of health. The Lancet, 401(10383), 1194-1213.

Hurrell, A., & Sengupta, S. (2012). Emerging powers, North–South relations and global climate politics. International Affairs, 88(3), 463-484.

Kiely, R. (2014). The sociology of development: the impasse and beyond. London: Routledge.

Lancaster, C. (2008). Foreign aid: Diplomacy, development, domestic politics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Niyonkuru, F. (2016). Failure of foreign aid in developing countries: A quest for alternatives. Business and Economics Journal, 7(3), 1-9.
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