Assessment

Assessment will consist of 1 essay (3,500 words) Students may answer any ONE of the following questions:

A) In week 2 we considered Peet and Hartwick (2015) and discussed several different theories of development and globalisation. For this question, pick one of the theories described by Peet and Hartwick and apply it to a contemporary issue related to development/globalisation in the Americas (i.e., a case study topic). Your task is to use the theory as a lens/framework for reflecting on and unpacking your case study topic, and your goal is to analyse and provide insight into both the theory as well as your case study. Though not required, you may find it useful to consult the original source discussed by Peet and Hartwick, as well as other researchers who have drawn on the same theoretical perspective.

Reading:

https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/kcl/detail.action?docID=1872281

Chapter 3,4,5

B) In week 3 we considered historical processes and interpretations of political economic development in the Americas. For this question, you need to use the readings from week 3 (the required ones and/or the suggested ones) to analyse a contemporary issue of your choice related to development/globalisation in the Americas. Your assignment is to draw on the historical context described by the authors in week 3 to make sense of (i.e., explain) the contemporary issue you have chosen. It is of course possible that your analysis will challenge/critique the historical interpretations of the authors from week 3: that is absolutely fine. A strong essay is one that shows a good understanding of the readings and keen analysis with respect to the contemporary issue you select.

Reading:

Read pp. 91-146; 169-210

C) The readings for weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10 offer different critical perspectives for processes of globalisation and development. For this question, pick one of these theoretical perspectives – i.e., either week 7 (critical urban studies); week 8 (feminism); week 9 (critical identity and postcolonialism); or week 10 (Santos’s theory) – and use those readings to provide a critical analysis of an issue of your choice related to globalisation/development in the Americas (i.e., a case study). Your task is to use the theoretical perspective you choose as a lens/framework for reflecting on and unpacking your case study, and your goal is to analyse and provide insight into both the theory as well as your case study. Your analysis may likely critique some of the authors you cite: that is absolutely fine. Again, a strong essay is one that shows a good understanding of the readings and keen analysis with respect to your case study. (Note: your case study topic can be contemporary or historical.)

Reading: see document