Convenor name: Touseef Mir
Convenor email: tm79@soas.ac.uk
Office room: C415
Office hours: Thursdays 4-6pm
Appointment booking link: https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foutlook.office.com%2Fbookwithme%2Fuser%2Fdfa6c2d47fbd47f0a8a14ac5fab3be5c%40soas.ac.uk%3Fanonymous%26ep%3DbwmEmailSignature&data=05%7C02%7Ctm79%40mysoas.onmicrosoft.com%7Cbd4ccbbf70054a2133a908dde3172157%7C674dd0a1ae6242c7a39f69ee199537a8%7C0%7C0%7C638916410741801357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hsLhyKy1Oq0tg9P1OM6qi2S0ogT4QmjZdiIg1vbxUhg%3D&reserved=0
Module dates: Semester 1
Intended learning outcomes: LO1 An historical understanding of the timing and emergence of mainstream development actors ‘from above', such as the World Bank and the UN, and the variety of actors and alternative approaches known as development 'from below'
LO2 An understanding of the challenges of attempting to carry out development initiatives from below through or with the participation of local communities and the distinctions between this and development from above.
LO3 A critical understanding of academic debates on alternative approaches to development theory and practice, and their significance in relation to actual outcomes.
LO4 Knowledge of a range of alternative approaches to development including various forms of participatory and community-based development, post-development.
LO5 Ability to critically analyse and assess the ways alternative approaches and initiatives understand, represent and approach local populations and communities
Assessment 1: Name: Assignment 1 (AS1)
Assessment 1: Weighting: 50%
Assessment 1: Due date: Week 6/Wednesday
Assessment 1: Release date: Week 10/Friday
Assessment 1: Permitted AI usage: Retrieval
Assessment 1: Format: AS1 requires students to write a 1000 word blog, discussing how different development actors have incorporated 'from above'or from below’ perspectives and principles.
Assessment 2: Name: Assignment 2 (AS2)
Assessment 2: Weighting: 50%
Assessment 2: Due date: Assessment Week 1/Thursday
Assessment 2: Release date: 05/02/2026
Assessment 2: Permitted AI usage: Retrieval
Assessment 2: Format: Individual narrated PowerPoint presentation on 'from below' approaches, 5 mins, 50%. Video-recorded (not live)
Page type: Module
Study year: 2025/26
Librarian name: Farzana Qureshi
Librarian email: fq@soas.ac.uk
Page template: 2025/26 On campus
