AS and A2 World Development(WJEC) – from September 2008

www.wjec.co.uk

What is World Development?

• An exploration of the social, political, economic and environmental
  factors that connect local, national and international communities within an increasingly interdependent world.

• An examination of the relationships between more and less developed countries.

What are the major themes?

• Interdependence
• Poverty
• Sustainable development
• The world economy
• Social justice
• Globalisation
• Trade and aid
• Environmental issues

Course Content

AS

Unit 1   35% (70%)

• 2 hour examination.
• 100 marks140 UMS.
• 4 compulsory structured questions based on Themes 1 and 2.

Theme 1: Development, Resources and Global Citizenship

• Basic Human needs and the impact on resources
• Environmental limits and the effect on use of resources
• Responsible use of resources and sustainable development
• Competing claims on resources
• Different approaches to sustainable development

Theme 2: Poverty and inequality

• Measuring and defining poverty.
• Addressing poverty and inequality.
• International debt and the impact on poverty and inequality.
• Inequality in different social groups.
• International initiatives to raise awareness of and reduce poverty.

Unit 2   15% (30%)

• Portfolio (Coursework)
• 50 marks60 UMS

• A.An analysis of 3 articles – 500 words based on Theme 1.
• B. Comparative essay – 1000 words based on Theme 2.

A2

Unit 3   35%

• 3 hour examination.
• 100 marks140 UMS
• 1 compulsory structured case study question based on unseen resources.
• 1 essay from a choice of 2 based on Theme 3.
• 1 essay from a choice of 2 based on Theme 6.

Theme 3: Perspectives of development

• The contested and evolving concept of development.
• Interpretations of development.
• How the concept of development varies between groups with different values and attitudes.
• Economic, social, political and environmental perspectives on development.
• Role of empowerment and participation of individuals and communities in development.
• The contested concept of sustainable development.

Theme 6: Social Development

• The relationship between population and resources.

• Role of women in development.
• Role of education in sustainable development.
• Role of health in sustainable development.
• Role of cultural and religious diversity in development.
• Migration as an indicator of inequalities.

Unit 4   15%

• Individual report (Coursework)
• 60 marks60 UMS
• 3000 words on a research topic, based on any of the themes at AS or A2.

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