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Global Development International Field Course - ENV00038I

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Eleanor Jew
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This is a two week fieldtrip to Ghana, where we will work with local universities on short research projects and visit sites of cultural, historical and biological importance. Assessment is based on the research project conducted in Ghana. 

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

This module consist of a two week field trip to Ghana during the Easter holidays. The aim of the field trip is to experience some of the key theories, challenges and solutions that are discussed throughout the BA in Global Development degree from a developing country perspective. The module begins with preparatory sessions in class in York to prepare students for the practicalities of conducting research overseas. The fieldwork course will focus on two main subject areas in Ghana, with the first focusing on the historical events that shaped colonialism, independence and development today by visiting museums at the slave-holding castles of Cape Coast. The second subject area is the trade in the cash crop cocoa, in Kumasi. Cocoa trade is international and complex, with concerns around environmental degradation and human rights issues, for example child labour. Development initiatives through organisations such as Fairtrade and the Rainforest Alliance seek to address some of these issues, but the nature of the trade affects transparency. Whether these initiatives affect cocoa farmers positively is also uncertain. Working with stakeholders in the area students will learn about these processes, visit cocoa farms and have the opportunity to undertake their own research projects. The development of research projects will begin pre-departure, and data will be collected in the field. Students will be expected to present their initial findings to the stakeholders, and on return to York prepare a research report suitable for dissemination to the stakeholders. The module gives students an opportunity to explore a development problem in detail, supported by theoretical and practical research and developing their research skills.

Module aims:

  1. To provide students with a structured opportunity to experience some of the development challenges that are discussed throughout the degree
  2. To enable students to apply the theories of data collection learned within the degree to practical research settings
  3. To provide students with the opportunity to develop and implement a research project under close supervision
  4. To encourage students to understand the links between history, politics and the environment in relation to development goals within a developing country setting. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the modules students will be able to demonstrate:

  • Understanding of how historical complexities continue to influence development today
  • Understanding of how international trade and economies have profound impacts on farm level production of cash crops such as cocoa
  • Knowledge of the interactions and challenges of sustainable agricultural production, environmental protection and human rights
  • Skills in fieldwork planning, logistics, health and safety and ethics
  • Skills in research project design
  • Research skills in field data collection
  • Data analysis of qualitative and /or quantitative data and presentation skills
  • Skills in critical analysis and evaluation of development issues
  • An ability to work, communicate and conduct research in cross-cultural contexts
  • Oral and written research communication skills
  • Report writing skills
  • Self-evaluation, reflective thinking and writing

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual Project Report		 N/A 70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Individual presentation		 N/A 30

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Reassessment is a 3000 word essay submitted during the summer assessment period. Module failure is based on the whole module mark. 

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reassessment essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative feedback will be provided within 10 working days. Summative feedback will be provided within 20 working days. 

Indicative reading

ABBEY, P., TOMLINSON, P. R. & BRANSTON, J. R. 2016. Perceptions of governance and social capital in Ghana's cocoa industry. Journal of rural studies, 44, 153-163.

ARAUJO, A. L. 2018. Tourism and Heritage Sites of the Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery. Chichester, UK.

INGRAM, V., VAN RIJN, F., WAARTS, Y. & GILHUIS, H. 2018. The Impacts of Cocoa Sustainability Initiatives in West Africa. Sustainability (Basel, Switzerland), 10, 4249.

 


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.