DV483 Half Unit
Information Communication Technologies and Socio-economic Development
This information is for the 2021/22 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
This course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars in the LT. Seminars will be at or upwards of 45 minutes duration and lectures will be at or above 60 minutes duration. There will also be a one-hour revision session in late LT.
Student on this course will have 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.
Taylor, L. and Schroeder, R. (2015) Is Bigger Better? The emergence of big data as a tool for international development policy, GeoJournal, 80, pp. 503-518.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the ST.
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Student performance results
(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 32.6 |
| Merit | 60.9 |
| Pass | 5.4 |
| Fail | 1.1 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 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 differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching 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 2020/21: 31
Average class size 2020/21: 16
Controlled access 2020/21: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
