DV483 Half Unit
Information Communication Technologies and Socio-economic Development
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Shirin Madon CON.8.09
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation, MSc in Media, Communication and Development and MSc in Political Economy of Late Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Students will be allocated places to courses with priority to ID and joint-degree students. If there are more ID and joint-degree students than the course can accommodate, these spots will be allocated randomly.
Non-ID/Joint Degree students will be allocated to spare places by random selection with the preference given first to those degrees where the regulations permit this option.
Course content
This is an interdisciplinary course about understanding the role played by Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) towards achieving developmental goals. We begin by reviewing dominant theoretical perspectives on development identifying assumptions held about the role of information, communication and technologies. Using this as our critical frame of reference, we focus on a variety of current topics including global software outsourcing, e-commerce/m-commerce, mobiles for smallholder agriculture, ICT and education, e-governance, health informatics, social media and collective action, ICT and humanitarianism.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT.
In addition, there will be a one hour revision session in late LT.
There will be a reading week in Week 6.
Formative coursework
Students will be invited to submit an abstract of their summative essay for written comments.
Indicative reading
Avgerou, C. (2010) Discourses on ICT and Development, Information Technologies and International Development, 6, 3, pp. 1-18.
Brown, A. and Grant, G. (2010) Highlighting the Duality of the ICT and Development Research Agenda, Information Technology for Development, 16, 2, pp. 96-111.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the ST.
Student performance results
(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 28 |
| Merit | 65 |
| Pass | 7 |
| Fail | 0 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: International Development
Total students 2019/20: 29
Average class size 2019/20: 14
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
