ZEG U
ZIMBABWE EZEKIEL GUTI UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1 (ASW224)
MODULE GUIDE FOR AUGUST-DECEMBER 2019 SEMESTER
Lecturer: John C. Magocha (MSW)
Contact Details
Mobile numbers: +263715353168, +263773557437
Contact Hours
Lectures: Mondays 08:30-12:00. Venue: Education Lecture Room
Consultation: Mondays 14:00-16:30. Appointments can also be made via the contact
platforms availed.
CONTENTS
1. Course Introduction…………………………………………………………................2
2. Aim of the course…………..…………………………………………………………...2
3. Objectives/Intended Learning Outcomes…………………………………………….....2
4. Assessments..........................................................................................................3
5. Academic Requirements………………………………………………………………...4
6. Dates and Times (Course Sessions, Deliverables and Assignments) ..........................5
7. Distribution of Learning Effort…………………………………………………………8
8. Assignments………..............................................................................................8
9. Plagiarism and cheating………………………………………………………………...8
10. Seminar/Tutorial Questions…………………………………………………………….9
11. References……....................................................................................................9
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1. COURSE INTRODUCTION
This class is an interdisciplinary overview of the problem of improving material standards of
living and the overall quality of life of the earth's human population. Economic, political, cultural,
sociological and psychological dimensions of this problem are included. Special attention and
emphasis is given to improving the living standards of the vast majority of the world's people,
those who live in the less economically developed countries. The course material is designed to
help students understand the many dimensions of a single complex problem and help them
develop skill to analyze key issues from multiple perspectives.
2. AIM
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the socio-economic
challenges faced by developing countries and the policy and practice options open for the
alleviation of such challenges,
3. OBJECTIVES/INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the semester students are expected to:
a. Develop a deeper understanding of the economic, social and cultural conditions in
developing countries.
b. Learn the meaning of the process of economic development and the value and
limitations of specific measures used to assess it.
c. Gain the ability to raise meaningful questions about the design of a variety of
policies intended to advance development, and appreciate the importance of the political,
historical and cultural environment in determining the likelihood of success of such
policies.
The following key areas are expected to have been mastered:
The meaning of development
Theories of development
Problems of development
Development strategies
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4. ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT GROUP/INDIVIDUA WEIGHTING (%) DATE & TIME TO
COMPONENT L BE HELD/DUE
(G-I)
Individual I 10 13 September 2019
Assignment
Group Assignment G 10 20 September 2019
Group Presentation G 10
Final Exam I 70 TBA
Individual Assignment (10%)
Every student will be required to submit an individual assignment. The assignment must meet the
University standards of scholarly work, well researched with credible references. Plagiarism will
not be tolerated.
Group Assignment (10%)
Students are required to from groups and answer (a) given question(s). The idea is to enable
students to conduct assignments as groups, one of the core components of the social work practice
arena.
Group Presentation (10%)
Students will be required to join any of the groups that will be assigned a topic to research on and
make presentations to the class. The lecturer will be allocating marks on each and every
presentation. Marks will be allocated for content, relevance, references and the logic of the
presentation. The aim is to practise students in the delivery of presentations.
Final Exam: (70%)
The final examinations will test the students on their ability to synthesise the content learnt
throughout the semester and think creatively about how to apply it. Students’ understanding of the
nature and concepts of social welfare organisations will be examined. They will be asked
questions related to human service organisations and their relationship to the solution of problems
in developing countries.
The following criteria and general descriptions will be used to grade the work of students:
75-100% 1 (First Class)
65-74% 2:1 (Upper Second Class)
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60-64% 2:2 (Lower Second Class)
50-59% 3 (Third Class)
40%-49% Fail (Supplementary Range)
39% and below Fail (Carry)
5. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Academic requirements, as detailed in the University Regulations, apply to all courses. The
following are highlighted:
Students must achieve a minimum average of 50% in individual work to pass the course.
Deferment of examinations has to be authorised by the Academic Board. Ordinarily,
deferrals are granted only for major medical illnesses (proof will have to be submitted) or
death within the immediate family (partner, parent or child). Deferrals are not granted
automatically and must be applied for. Until such application is made and permission is
received from the Academic Board a grade of zero is entered against any missed
examination. Lecturers and administrators may not grant deferrals of examinations.
To pass this module requires that a student attend all lecturers, submit all work and
assignments as and when required.
Penalties will be applied to all late submissions except in cases where extenuating
circumstances exist i.e. serious medical reasons verified by a medical certificate or a
serious life event such as death of immediate family members (partner, parent or child).
The responsibility lies with the student to make alternative arrangements with the lecturer.
Administration must be notified prior to the submission date. This must be done in writing.
The request will be discussed with the relevant faculty member. Work and social
commitments are not regarded as “extenuating” circumstances. Deadlines are given to
students well in advance to allow for proper scheduling and effective time management.
The penalty for late submission shall be a deduction of 5 marks for every day the
assignment is delayed.
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6. DATES AND TIMES (COURSE SESSIONS, DELIVERABLES AND ASSIGNMENTS)
WEEK/ TOPIC SYNOPSIS READINGS COMMENTS
DATE
1 Course introduction In this Section, students will be Nafziger (2006) Chapter 1
Ground rules introduced to the course and given the Todaro and Smith Chapter 1
26/08/19
Course walk through background to social and economic Szirmai (2015) Chapter 1
Introduction to Socio-Economic development. Basic concepts informing Altman (2005) Chapter 1
Development development will also be covered. Handbook Chapter 1
2 Conceptualising development It is important that we have some Nafziger (2006) Chapter 1
Growth and development working definition or core perspective on Todaro and Smith Chapter 1
02/09/19
Traditional measures its meaning. Without such a perspective Szirmai (2015) Chapter 1
Contemporary measures and some agreed measurement criteria, Altman (2011) Chapter 1
we would be unable to determine which Handbook Chapter 1
country was actually developing and
which was not. In this section we
examine such related concepts.
3 Characteristics of developing There are important economic Nafziger (2006) Chapter 4 Submission of
countries commonalities among developing Todaro and Smith (2012) individual
09/09/19
countries that have led to their economic Chapter 2 assignment
development problems being studied Ghatak (2005) Chapter 1
within a common analytical framework in Altman (2011) Chapter 1
development economics. In this Section,
we examine those characteristics,
together with diversity throughout the
developing world, even within these
areas of broad commonality
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4-5 Theories of economic development Theoretical concepts and models of Srzimai (2015) Chapter 3
socio-economic development will be Nafziger (2006) Chapter 5
16/09/19-
explored. The genesis of development Todaro and Smith (2012)
23/09/19
theory will be chronicled. Chapter 3
Handbook Chapter 2
Ghatak (2005) Chapter 2
6 Poverty and inequality Poverty is a complex and multi- Nafziger (2006) Chapter 6
dimensional concept. Students need a Todaro and Smith (2012)
30/09/10
thorough understanding of this ubiquitous Chapter 5
aspect of developing countries. The Altman (2011) Chapter 2
various definitions and conceptualisation Royce (2009) Whole book
of poverty will be explored. Ghatak (2005) Chapter 7
7-8 Problems of development Developing countries face a number of Szirmai (2015) Chapter 4 Submission of
Capital mobilisation challenges in their quest for economic Nafziger (2006) Part III group
07/10/19-
Labour growth. In this Section we explore the Todaro and Smith (2012) assignments
14/10/19
Foreign aid major challenges that developing Chapter 8
Technology countries face. Handbook Chapter 37
9-10 Semester break
18/09/19-
01/10/19
11-12 Development strategies The previous Section explores the Szirmai (2015) Chapter 8
Policymaking for development problems; in this Section we proffer some Nafziger (2006) Chapter 18
04/11/19-
Industrialisation and agricultural of the strategies that developing countries Todaro and Smith (2012)
11/11/19
development can utilise to spur sustainable Chapters 8-11, Chapter 15
Sustainable development development. Handbook Chapters 11&12
Stabilisation and reform Ghatak (2005) Chapter 12
13 Swot leave
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18/11/19
14 Examinations and end of semester Asante Sana
25/11/19
NB: Due to exigencies beyond control, deviations from the calendar may be inevitable. Should such occur, the changes thereof will be duly
communicated.
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7. DISTRIBUTION OF LEARNING EFFORT
Activities and approximate time to be spent (hours)
Lectur Tutorials/ Self- Assign, Test/ Notional Hrs.
e Seminars directed Examination
Learning
36 14 40 30 120
8. ASSIGNMENTS
a. Individual Assignment: Utilising practical examples from developing countries,
examine the ways in which informalisation of the economy can impact on the
nations’ development trajectories.
b. Group Assignment: Examine the policy options open for developing countries to
alleviate rural poverty.
9. PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
Every student is expected to do his/her own work. Ethical standards, university policy, and
departmental policy demand that students refrain from plagiarism and any form of cheating.
Plagiarism is the ‘Act of appropriating the literacy composition of another, or parts of passages
from of his (or her) writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the
products of one’s own mind.’ (Black's Law Dictionary, 1983). When using others’ words, phrases,
or ideas in writing, the original author should be given proper credit.
Cheating includes, but is limited to, copying others’ answers on essays and during exams, using
notes or other forms of help during an examinations, giving or receiving help on exams or
assignments, or submitting work which has been submitted before. Use of citations from the
Internet without paraphrasing content and proper referencing is regarded as plagiarism. Lecturers
have the right to use electronic review programs (such as Turn It In) to identify plagiarism.
The Department does not tolerate plagiarism or cheating. A student found to be engaging in such
illegal and unethical conduct may receive a failing grade in the course and may be subjected to
further disciplinary proceedings. Any assignment or exam that lacks honesty will be given
appropriate treatment.
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10. SEMINAR/TUTORIAL TOPICS
a. Examine the ways in which developing countries can be positioned to maximise the
provisions of the Social Development Goals (SDGs)
b. Consider the policy choices for socio-economic development open to governments of
developing countries.
c. Examine the impact of higher and tertiary education on economic development.
d. Evaluate Kuznets’ proposition on the relationship between economic development and
sustainable development.
e. Discuss the roles that international trade and foreign investment can play in solving some
of the problems of developing countries.
f. “Development is both a physical reality and a state of mind in which society has, through
some combination of social, economic, and institutional processes, secured the means for
obtaining a better life” (Todaro and Smith, 2012: 22). Using relevant examples analyse this
contention.
g. Examine the provisions of the Human Development Index as a measure of socio-economic
development.
h. Consider the utility of linear stages theories of economic development to emerging
economies.
11. REFERENCES
Altman, M.P. (2011). Contextual Development Economics: A Holistic Approach to the
Understanding of Economic Activity in Low-Income Countries. New York: Springer.
Arrow, J.A. and Intrilgator, M.D. (Undated). Handbook of Development Economics.
Auty, R.M. (2001). Resource Abundance and Economic Development. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Ghatak, S. (2005). Introduction to Development Economics. London: Routledge.
Hayami, Y. and Godo, Y. (2005). Development Economics: From the Poverty to the Wealth of
Nations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Kanyenze, G. Kondo, T. Chitambara,P and Martens, J. (2011) Beyond the Enclave: Towards a
Pro Poor and Inclusive Development Strategy for Zimbabwe. Harare, Weaver Press
Nafziger, E.W. (2006). Economic Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Royce, E. (2009). Poverty and Power: A Structural Perspective on American Inequality. Lanham:
Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.
Shorrocks, A. and Van Den Hoeven, A. (2004). Growth, Inequality, and Poverty Prospects for
Pro-Poor Economic Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Szirmai, A. (2015). Socio-Economic Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Tarp, F. and Hjertholm, P. (Eds) (2000). Foreign Aid and Development Lessons Learnt and
Directions for the Future. London: Routledge.
Todaro, M.P. and Smith, S.C. (2012). Economic Development. Boston: Addison Wesley.
World Development Reports (Available on the Internet)
NB: This reference list is not exhaustive. You can also use the library, various e-resources and
online journals to expand your understanding of the matters involved.
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