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GEOG30820

Academic Year 2026/2027

Development Geographies (GEOG30820)

Subject:
Geography
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Sarah Launius
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module offers a critical exploration of the geographies of development in the Global South with a specific emphasis on the people, places and scales that have tended to be marginalised from mainstream development. Students will be introduced to key theories, themes and concepts in development geography, which will be examined in particular contexts by way of case studies. Following an introduction to the history and theory of development and how this has shaped development policy and practice, the course will cover a range of topics in development geography including sustainable livelihoods, market integration, the informal economy, food security/food sovereignty, gender and development, indigenous people, migration, climate change, and civil society and NGOs.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students should have:
1. An introductory knowledge of the general concepts, theories, themes and issues underlying development geography.
2. The ability to reflect critically on the geographically uneven and contested nature of development and on the intended and unintended effects of planned intervention and development projects.
3. Developed critical reading, analytical, research, teamwork, presentation and writing skills.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Specified Learning Activities

15
Autonomous Student Learning

65
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
-active/task-based learning;
-peer and group work;
-lectures;
-reflective learning;
-case-based learning;
-student presentations

AI Policy
AI may be used by students in this module for particular assignments and in particular ways.
Not Permitted: AI is not permitted to be used to generate text that you then present as your own. Using AI in this way undermines your ability to develop critical thinking, writing, or research skills that are essential for your academic success.
Permitted: As a study aid, idea generator or to check your grammar and spelling, Students are expected to always cite their use of AI systems by including what tool they used and what queries they made.
Students should critically evaluate the sources, methods, and outputs of AI systems. All statements produced by AI, should be further investigated by reviewing the relevant, cited sources and then by citing both the AI tool and the original source if utilised in your writing.

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 Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Group Work Assignment: In-class Exercises
Student groups will discuss development concept and theories, providing opportunity to develop the case studies used in their group presentations.		 Week 2, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: In class engagement on special topics. Week 3, Week 6 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No
Group Work Assignment: Final Group Presentation
Groups will present their development case study in class during weeks 11 and 12. The presentation must be submitted Week 11.		 Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
50
 Yes
Group Work Assignment: Group Project Proposal: Groups will provide an outline of their chosen case study topic, the direction of their research, lenses, and references for feedback. Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Potter, R.B. et al. (2018) Geographies of Development: An Introduction to Development Studies (4th Edition). Pearson Education Ltd: Edinburgh Gate.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Christine Bonnin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
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