IR4519 Politics and Development in Southeast Asia

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

Tues 9am

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C M Jones

Dr C M Jones
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr C Jones

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module looks at the development experience of the Southeast Asian region. Southeast Asia has one of the best records in creating economic growth and reducing poverty -- forming part of what the World Bank famously described as the 'Asian Miracle' (though the less impressive part, lagging behind Northeast Asian star performers like Taiwan and Korea). It is also a highly diverse region with an interesting history, providing a lens through which to explore a wide range of contemporary development issues. In particular, Southeast Asia presents a number of challenges for the applicability of developmental logics derived from approaches. In particular, the assumption that free market capitalism and laissez faire economics, coupled with democratic structures are essential elements for economic development. The module also considers the concept of the developmental state and evaluates its different enunciations.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 50%, Take-home Examination to be completed in 8-hour period = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 1-hour lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 9 weeks), weekly office hours for student consultations (x 10 weeks) Tutorials – in-person. Addition – mini conference of research proposals – online/in person. To replace the lecture week 9 and add two contact hours for the conference. Lectures – recorded and available on Moodle. Weekly asynchronous component – narrative Moodle online, to include quizzes.

Scheduled learning hours

39

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

260

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Review the theoretical literature on a range of development issues, particularly concerned with the role of the state in economic management
  • Relate theoretical debates about issues to empirical data drawn from the Southeast Asian region
  • Critically assess the appropriateness of disciplinary concepts to the Asian region
  • Develop a research agenda (including appropriate research methods) for the study of at least two Southeast Asian States
  • Evaluate and provide a critical reflection on a book.