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POL10120

Academic Year 2026/2027

Foundations in Global Development (POL10120)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Patrick Paul Walsh
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed to introduce students to key themes in the foundations of global affairs and international development. The first section of the module explores theories (and histories) of development. , including market-based approaches (free markets, free trade, free movement of capital.); approaches that emphasize the role of the state. The second section of the module explores more empirical aspects of industrial development, human development, sustainable development and beyound 2030 development.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, students should be able to understand and critically engage with debates about global affairs and their implications for the development (or lack of it) of different parts of the world.

Indicative Module Content:

The Evolution of International Development
Global Affairs and Multilaterism
Metrics of International Development
Industrial development
Human development
Sustainable development
Development beyound 2030

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.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End poverty in all its forms everywhere 5

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 5

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 5

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 3

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 5

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 3

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 3

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 5

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 5

Reduce inequality within and among countries 5

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 3

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 5

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 5

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 5

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 5

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 5

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 5
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

98
Lectures

22
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lecture-based, but with scope for Q&A in class with module coordinators; assessments provide scope also for critical reflection and application of lecture and reading based learning.

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
Assignment(Including Essay): Final Essay Week 12 Graded No
60
 No
Exam (In-person): MCQ Week 12 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): MCQ Week 6 Graded 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
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on take home exam will be provided for each student.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
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