GEOG31090 Civil Society and NGOs: Theory and Practice to Change the World

Academic Year 2023/2024

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) emerged during colonial times in Europe with the purpose of mitigating colonial harms or preventing anti-colonial revolts. Because of such controversial roots, the role of NGOs was critically questioned over the second half of the 20th century. However, it is also true that NGOs have become essential actors in global development, promoting significant positive change in several areas. Expanding rapidly, both numerically and geographically, NGOs have played a wide range of roles: traditionally, they have been concerned with delivering relief or promoting social and economic development, but more recently, they have also assumed a larger presence in efforts to reform governance, foster democratisation and build peace.
The module introduces the study of the world of NGOs and their relationships with social movements, international organisations, and grassroots or community associations. We will critically assess their impacts on development interventions. As well as exploring diverse claims relating to local, national and international NGOs’ capacity to ‘make a difference’, the module engages with a critical literature that examines the broader social and political effects of NGOs and their work. The unit explores (a) the roots of NGOs and their rapid expansion since the 1980s and a range of accounts and conceptualisations of this rise in the NGO literature, (b) NGOs’ relationships with broader civil society, donors, social moments and state actors, (c) the operational mechanisms and challenges that affect NGO sustainability and impact (d) several current debates relating to NGOs’ development roles and broader political effects including the rise of ‘global civil society’ and global advocacy, NGOs’ actions on human rights, humanitarianism, and peacebuilding. The module will explore these debates by drawing on several local, national, and international case studies. At the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to critically analyse the role of NGOs and be prepared to work in the sector to make positive changes in the social world.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should have:
- A solid knowledge of contemporary debates on NGOs, civil society, and social movements
- Reflected on how different types of NGOs and social movements bring about a positive or negative change in the world
- Critically debated the diverse roles and effectiveness played by NGOs, civil society, and social movements
- A capacity to identify, understand and critique a range of theoretical approaches for understanding contemporary NGOs and social movements
- Been exposed to several geographically diverse case studies on a wide range of themes, such as humanitarian, colonialism, advocacy, grassroots movements, global politics, and international organisations
- Learned how the NGO sector operates, understanding its functions and operations in global and local politics
- Acquired critical and practical skills to work in the sector

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Project Supervision

1
Total

25
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; debates; case-based learning; practical learning from experts 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: A 500-word essay outline Week 7 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

25
Essay: A 2000-word essay responding to one of the 3-5 questions provided by the lecturer Week 12 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

75

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Alun Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn