Course Details in

Module Title	LH Alternative Economies
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Geography
Module Code	03 27140
Module Lead	John Round
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Within economic geography there is an overarching belief that the formal neo-liberal market is the predominant form of economy and that even those countries that do not operate such a system are moving towards it. There is little consideration of both alternative forms of economy and the ways in which individuals, families, households and/or networks employ a range of both formal and informal practices to sustain their everyday lives. In other words our everyday lives have little relation to the textbook neo-liberal economic module. Even though this model is a relatively recent construct, and informal practices, by definition, have existed for much longer in disciplines such a management studies there is currently much excitement about the discovery of ‘the informal’. Therefore, this module explores the nature of alternative economies through an examination of informal practices, the role of networks, state/society relations, migration and how all of these relate to space and place. This course looks at how we can theorise everyday life and practices through an alternative economies lens. It draws upon in-depth research, conducted by the module’s leader, and empirically based case studies from Birmingham, Russia and Japan. Theoretically the course draws from geography, sociology, labour studies and management disciplines and is based in a post-structuralist political economy approach. The module is made up of 10 x 2 hour lectures and 10 x 1 hour workshops, students will be asked to make group presentations within the workshops on an alternative economy of their choosing. For this they will be expected to undertake a small amount of participant observation research upon which the presentation will be based.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Critically analyse the different forms of economic practices that exist across the world Demonstrate a clear understanding of the power, class and gender relations that exist within different economic forms Present clear understandings, in both written and verbal forms, of the academic and popular press literature on alternative economies Apply theories discussed in the course to real world issues
Assessment	27140-02 : Essay : Coursework (90%) 27140-03 : Presentation : Presentation (10%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 4000 word essay with reflective element (90%) Group presentation and class participation (10%)
Other
Reading List