Course coordinator
Associate Professor Heloise Weber
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Politic Sc & Internat Studies
This course focuses on the centrality of politics in development. It examines contemporary development processes in relation to historical trends, and explores the ways in which local and global contexts are increasingly interconnected in an era of globalisation. The course introduces and engages competing approaches to development, and considers the politics and political implications of everyday lived experiences of development policy. Throughout the course, we closely examine the politics of social change, and consider the legacies of historical political change and their implications for contemporary development processes and challenges.
This course examines the politics of global development. It introduces and examines development as a contradictory process mediated through unequal and contested social and political relationsﾠin both historical and contemporary contexts. The contradictions of development are examined, for exampleﾠin relation toﾠquestions of deprivation of basic needs, questions ofﾠgovernance, practices of resistance and the role of power in development. Power takes many forms, such as through practices ofﾠrepresentations (e.g. framingﾠOthers as ‘inferior’, as ‘outsiders' or ‘under-developed’), and has been integral to development strategies intent onﾠ(re)organizingﾠsocial and political relations. We considerﾠhow people experience development as an everyday lived experience and critically analyse social and politicalﾠstruggles over development processes, while drawing out the potential for as well asﾠobstacles toﾠprogressive social and political change. To understand the politics of global development it is imperative to critically engage theoretical premises and assumptions as well as their substantive social and political implications.ﾠﾠ
The course themes expanded:
In the contemporary context, there is a global development agenda that aims to universalize a particular set of strategies in order to relieve the insecurities of those subjected to poverty (e.g. from international trade agreements toﾠthe United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda). However, this dominant institutional approach is also contested and challenged by many. From the perspective of the latter, it is precisely the underlying assumptions of the dominant approach to development that are problematic because of the concrete practices of domination and dispossession they engender. In this course weﾠexplore such dynamics and consider the relevance of history, questions of race andﾠculture and political economy for understandingﾠthe politics of globalﾠdevelopment and inequalities. Our understandingﾠof the politics of development will be enriched through the unpacking ofﾠtheoretical frameworks and critical engagement withﾠconceptualﾠandﾠmethodological assumptions. Our overall aim is to understand development asﾠcomprising unequal and contestedﾠsocial and political relations extending from the ‘global’ to the ‘local’.ﾠ It is a project that has roots in colonialism, anti-colonial struggles and struggles for justice more broadly.
Handling Challenging Content
Courses in Political Science and related disciplines (such as International Relations, or Peace and Conflict Studies) deal with a wide range of human relations, and will cover issues, incidents and problems that are controversial, and that can be challenging to confront emotionally and intellectually. In the rare case that student participants experience extreme discomfort, or traumatic episodes, we strongly encourage you to take care of yourself by leaving the classroom, and by following up in getting assistance, if needed (Student Support Services will readily help!).
Course requirements
Assumed background
POLS7302 is designed to provide an advanced-level learning experience. To participate successfully and to the maximum benefit, students should have at least introductory level knowledge of basic concepts, methods or approaches in the Social Sciences (generally); ideally, this would be complemented by introductory level competency in Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations and/or Public Policy.
If you are not sure whether choosing POLS7302 is advisable at the stage you are at, please contact the Course Convenor at: h.weber@uq.edu.au.ﾠ
Restrictions
Minimum of 10 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Heloise Weber
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide a critical examination ofﾠsocial and political dynamics of the organisation of development and poverty along a global to localﾠcontinuum. Students will become acquainted with key development strategies, debates and challenges they engender, and on how 'development interventions' are experienced and contested. We will engage development theory and critically examine their conceptual underpinnings as well as social and political implications. These insights will be further explored through selected case examples. Central among the conceptual concerns is to learn to appreciate development and poverty in relational terms, that is, as comprising complex social and political relations, involving differential and different forms of social and political power.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Competently discuss and evaluate theoretical and methodological premises underpinning contending approaches to development.
LO2.
Appreciate the transdisciplinary character of development, and gain a more inclusive understanding of what constitutes the politics of development.
LO3.
Engage, assess, and contextualise case-based analyses, and critically evaluate their scope and implications.
LO4.
Identify institutional, formal and informal actors involved in development processes and assess the challenges and problems they face, using a global-to-local approach.
LO5.
Appreciate the significance of a critical historical approach in the study of the politics of global development.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique |
First Essay (between 1800 and 2000 words)
|
40% |
10/04/2025 4:00 pm
You are required to have a full draft of your essay two weeks before the due date. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Political Analysis of Movements, Organisations and States (between 2800 and 3000 words)
|
60% |
29/05/2025 4:00 pm
You are required to have a full draft of your essay two weeks before the due date. |
Assessment details
First Essay (between 1800 and 2000 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
10/04/2025 4:00 pm
You are required to have a full draft of your essay two weeks before the due date.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Essay Questions: You will be provided a list of essay questions and you will be required to answer one question from this list. The required word length is between 1800 and 2000 words.
For your essay, you have to engage with the required as well as recommended readings for POLS7302, in addition to any other academic input you find in your research. Your essay should be written as a well-integrated and consistently argued analysis and engage with the topic in the context of how this is explored and discussed in our course. Avoid serialising self-contained paragraphs, and make sure you reference appropriately throughout, especially with regard to providing full details (including page numbers) where you cite or refer to specific points in your sources.
Presentation: Your essay must be typed (1.5-line-spaced) fully referenced and include a bibliographic list. You are required to use the author-date in-text referencing system.
Please note that submissions have to be made via the designated Turnitin Link (Blackboard), using Word-encoding (.doc, or .docx extensions); .pdf files are not acceptable!!!
Word count: Please ensure that you provide a word count at the end of your essay excluding the bibliographic list.
The essay should demonstrate a high standard of grammar, spelling and general presentation and conform to the standards set out in the School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Political Analysis of Movements, Organisations and States (between 2800 and 3000 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
29/05/2025 4:00 pm
You are required to have a full draft of your essay two weeks before the due date.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Essay Questions: You will be provided a list of essay questions and you will be required to answer one question from this list. The required word length is between 2800 and 3000 words.
For your essay, you have to engage with the required as well as recommended readings for POLS7302, in addition to any other academic input you find in your research. Your essay should be written as a well-integrated and consistently argued analysis and engage with the topic in the context of how this is explored and discussed in our course. Avoid serialising self-contained paragraphs, and make sure you reference appropriately throughout, especially with regard to providing full details (including page numbers) where you cite or refer to specific points in your sources.
Presentation: Your essay must be typed (1.5-line-spaced), fully referenced, and include a bibliographic list. You are required to use the author-date in-text referencing system.
Please note that submissions have to be made via the designated Turnitin Link (Blackboard), using Word-encoding ( .doc, or .docx extensions); .pdf files are not acceptable!!!
Word count: Please ensure that you provide a word count at the end of your essay, excluding the bibliographic list.
The essay should demonstrate a high standard of grammar, spelling and general presentation and conform to the standards set out in the School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student does notﾠaddress the question, shows no evidence of reading and minimal comprehension of the issues at hand. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠaddresses the question poorly and showsﾠvery little evidence of reading. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student makes an effort to establish a single major argument for the essay andﾠemploys some research which is correlated with the argument. Makes a visible effort to achieve adequate grammar, spelling and punctuation. Evidence of attempting to achieve a recognisable narrative flowﾠappears throughout the assignment. The studentﾠaddresses the question and shows evidence of required research and a basic grasp of the issues at hand. However,ﾠfalls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student makes a reasonable effort to provide evidence to support a visible argument andﾠemploys an adequate research base to support the argument. Achieves a reasonable, if not completely coherent standard of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A recognisable narrative flow is sustained throughout the essay. The studentﾠanswers the question and shows evidence of adequate research and a degree of understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠprovides suitable evidence to support an argument andﾠemploys a comprehensive research base that directly relates to the topic, though it may not completely support the argument. Achieves decent levels of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠanswers the question in a direct, well supported fashion and shows evidence of some wide reading and a reasonable understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠdemonstrates a very good grasp of the chosen topic andﾠprovides a considerable amount of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The studentﾠemploys a reasonably extensive and well-organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument and achieves a high level of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠanswers the question in a direct, reasonably sophisticated fashion, employs wide research and shows a sound understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠdemonstrates a highly sophisticated grasp of the topic andﾠsucceeds in addressing the question by providing a high level of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The studentﾠemploys an extensive and well organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument andﾠachieves impeccable levels of grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠanswers the question in a direct and elegant fashion, employs significant research and shows a deep understanding of the issues at hand. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be awarded on the following basis:
1.ﾠFailﾠ 1 - 19%
2. Failﾠ 20 - 44%
3. Failﾠ 45 – 49%
4. Passﾠ 50 - 64 %
5. Creditﾠ 65 - 74 %
6. Distinctionﾠ 75 - 84 %
7. High Distinctionﾠ 85 - 100 %
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Word Length Penalty
Unless otherwise indicated, in the case of written submissions with a specified word count, you are given a +10% leeway on the upper word limit. If your written submission is over this leeway limit, it will attract a 10 percentage point penalty. For example, if your essay is 1,500 words, you may write up to 1,650 before attracting a word count penalty. If your essay exceeds the upper word limit, it will attract a 10% word count penalty. Therefore, if your essay is worth 40 marks, you will lose 4 marks from your allotted grade. Unless specified, penalties only apply to exceeding the word length, not for failure to write a sufficient amount.
Students should note:
• The Author-date in-text referencing system will count toward the word length;
• References in the Footnote referencing system will not count toward the word length. If you are using footnotes, any content included in footnotes beyond the specific text reference will count towards the word length.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Essay Guide
The School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide can be downloaded from the School’s Student Support webpage.
The Guide sets out guidelines you should follow in preparing written assignments.
Essay Writing Assistance
The School of Political Science and International Studies schedules regular “drop-in” sessions designed to provide one-on-one advice and assistance in essay planning and writing.
There is no need to make an appointment and you are encouraged to bring your essay with you.
The day and time of these sessions will be finalized at the beginning of each semester and published on the Student Support webpage.
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills and thus your academic performance in this course.
Library Resources
UQ Library offers training in software, assignment writing, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Political Science and International Studies are primarily located in the Central Library.
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the BEL/HASS Librarians for assistance.
Email: librarians@library.uq.edu.au
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Topic 1: Welcome and Introduction Introduction to the course, including topics and course organization. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Topic 2: Politics of Development Theory (Guest Lecturer, Sara Mejia-Munoz) Politics of theory, method and poverty. In this seminar we introduce and critically examine the conventional approach to the study of poverty and development. We will identify how this approach aligns with the premises of Modernization Theory and its 'stages of growth' framing of development. We will then critically interrogate its underlying assumptions. Our objective is to develop an appreciation of the relationship between development theory(ies), their underlying assumptions, and inequality. We will draw on empirical examples to further our understanding of the link between theory, method(s) and poverty. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Seminar |
Topic 3: 'The Object of Development' In this session, we critically examine the conventional approach to development, its underlying assumptions, and social and political implications. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Topic 4: Historicizing Development Critical questions about the past and present of development. This seminar introduces and examines important historical relations underpinning contemporary development. An objective is to identify the global and transnational dimension of these historical relations of development and consider their implications for conventional analyses of development. While we want to gain an appreciation of the historical specificities of development, we also want to consider the extent to which unequal relations have been central to the process of the unfolding of colonial capitalism. We will ground our conceptual analysis in concrete historical examples, such as the relationship between enslavement (e.g. the triangular trade)and European industrialisation. The history of development has important legacies for contemporary struggles over development and inequality. It also raises important questions about injustices and development. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Topic 5: Politics of Race and Development We examine how the the politics of race has been quite central to development. We explore how colonialism was justified and consider the continuing relevance for the contemporary development project. We consider the different ways in which race had served as justifications of domination, and rule but also engendered resistance in development. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Topic 6: Domination and Resistance in development Infrapolitics of the poor: Contesting domination. In this seminar we examine the role and significance of social struggles, practices of resistance and social movements in development. Our objective is to develop an appreciation of their significance as key political dynamics of social change as well as their analytical implications. We consider what a more inclusive account of actors and perspectives in development discloses about relations of development, and the sources of power in development and social change. In this seminar we deepen our understanding of development as a relational process, and one that is inherently political. This week we will enjoy learning about 'domination and the arts of resistance' in development. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Seminar |
Topic 7: Global Politics of Trade and Development Trade, development and poverty: the NAFTA and the WTO Against the background of previous topics, we examine the theoretical, institutional and social implications of the (liberal) governance of development through trade. In particular, we focus on the relationship between diverse everyday lived experiences and global governance through the example of trade and development. What are the substantive development implications of free-trade agreements? For instance, what kinds of rights do different actors have in these trade agreements and what does this mean for questions of inequality, poverty and justice? We examine the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as a case example, and we will also consider the World Trade Organization (WTO). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Seminar |
Topic 8: Politics of 'rights' to water (Guest Lecturer, Sara Mejia-Munoz) Commons versus commodities: struggles over rights to water. We examine the politics of 'rights' to water in substantive terms, but also use it as a lens to identify some of the conceptual and analytical issues introduced and examined throughout the course. We will draw on the case example of Bolivia where water services and resources were privatised, which almost 70,000 peoples actively resisted, and eventually the government fell! This example will allow us to appreciate how new powerful corporate actors are increasingly empowered in development, though not without challenges and resistance. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK No seminar this week. |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Topic 9: Politics of microcredit and poverty Microcredit, debt and poverty Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Labour Day- No Seminar Labour Day |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Seminar |
Topic 11: Politics of the post-2015 SDGs The post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & poverty Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Topic 12:'Living Well':An alternative development? Plus Outlook 'living well'/ﾑsumak kawsayﾒ: Learning from Indigenous conceptions of 'development In this seminar we examine a more recent articulation of an alternative conception of development that has it roots in Latin American indigenous conceptions of 'living well'. This conception of development recognizes the value and 'rights' of nature and seeks to both defend practices of 'living well' and advance it as a political project in ways that counter mainstream approaches to development. In practice, this idea of 'living well' has been incorporated in the constitutions of countries such as Bolivia and Ecuador. 'Living well' has also been embraced by non-indigenous peoples committed to pursuing a more just, equitable and sustainable development project. This is an inspiring example of contemporary struggles for and challenges to the realization of alter-development. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
General contact hours |
Topic 13: Independent Study (Finalising second Essay) This week is for you to focus on polishing and fine-tuning your draft essays to ready them for submission. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.