Development: context and practice

This online module explores development practice and the context in which it takes place. It asks you to think about development activities from multiple perspectives – to think ‘outside the box’ – about what development activity and theory are all about. It takes a multidisciplinary approach to development, highlighting the interconnectedness of different historical and theoretical perspectives as well as the contradictions between these and the reality on the ground. This module provides an ideal introduction to international development, facilitating the building of skills that will give you a good grasp of contemporary development theory and practice.

What you will study

In this module you will explore the context of development, examining what development is, the complex of issues that make up development, and how development happens at different places and times in history. You will also examine development practice, and more specifically development management, and its theoretical underpinnings taken from many different disciplines.

You will be asked to think critically about the way ‘development action’ (the activities of stakeholders who directly and indirectly engage in development) is conceived, practised and managed. You will look at development action in many forms: from the local to the global; from established practice to more emergent activities; from the large in scale, scope and impact to the small.

You will also address a number of key questions about the way the international development context has been shaped:

What historical legacies shape the present?
What social, economic and political relations shape development?
What processes of power and public action influence the making of development policy and its implementation?

Alongside these questions, you will question your own place within development, encouraging you to engage with development as a critically reflective practitioner. How are you influenced by the context and practice of development? How do you influence that context and practice?

This module presents an overview of major development issues and ways of addressing them. It facilitates the development of skills essential both to understanding the context, and to engaging in the practice, of development, using a variety of study materials, including journal articles and book chapters, contemporary case studies on film, and interactive web content.

Vocational relevance

The module will have particular relevance for you if you are working, or want to work, in development-related fields in the UK or around the world.

Entry

This module can be taken on its own or as a module of a postgraduate qualification.

You should normally hold a bachelors degree from a UK university (or equivalent), or have had experience of working, in a paid or voluntary capacity, in a development agency (local or international).

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Outside the UK

This module can be studied from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications

T877 is an optional module in our:

This module can also count towards C48, C67, C96, D37, F11 and F64 which are no longer available to new students.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.

If you have a disability

The module is delivered online. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.

Study materials

What's included

The module is taught wholly online but there is a DVD containing longer audio-visual material.

You will need

Access to a computer with internet access and the ability to play DVDs through your computer or TV.

Computing requirements

Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the module, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance. Your tutor will moderate an online forum for your tutor group in which participation is expected, mediated through a 'Reflective Wall' blog area. There will be a programme of online and face-to-face tutorials. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a separate online general discussion forum for all students on this module.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).

Future availability

Development: context and practice starts twice a year – in May and November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2019. We expect it to start for the last time in May 2020.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.