Global inequality and international development

What it covers

Why are some parts of the world wealthy while others face persistent poverty, and who really benefits from development? In this unit, you will tackle some of the biggest questions shaping our world today by exploring how global inequality is produced and sustained, from colonial histories to contemporary political and economic systems. You will unpack what “development” actually means, who gets to define it, and why its outcomes are often uneven and contested. Through engaging real-world case studies, you will examine how inequality is experienced across different contexts, while exploring key issues including aid, governance, conflict, agriculture, disasters, and gender inequality. You will be introduced to major theories of development and encouraged to challenge them - asking whether dominant approaches are part of the solution or part of the problem. By the end of the unit, you will be equipped to think critically about global justice, question taken-for-granted assumptions, and imagine alternative futures for a more equal world.

Assessment

When and where