Last modified: 16 Sep 2025 13:16
The course examines the complex and dynamic relationship between law and development and traces the impact of international development discourse on lower- and middle-income countries’ legal systems. The course focuses on domestic law reforms aiming to promote sustainable development and achieve the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda. It focuses on the role of law in promoting SDG 16 on peace, justice, and inclusive institutions, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Legal reforms have been used to stimulate economic growth, alleviate poverty and tackle rising inequality across the world. International development bodies such as the UNDP, World Bank, IMF and OECD have engaged the law to promote economic, human and sustainable development in lower- and middle-income countries. Although common legal concepts are consistently found in the development toolbox, there is still relatively little known about the relationship between law and development.
This course introduces students to the concepts of economic, human, and sustainable development before exploring how particular legal reforms have been used to pursue the UNs 2030 Agenda.
The course will use the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for exploring the relationship between law and development, with each seminar oriented around a particular sustainable development goal. Students can expect to encounter a range of issues from the sustainable management of water resources to sustainable consumption and production.
Throughout the course, students will use case studies to explore the practical impact of law on development outcomes.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To critically analyse the use of legal concepts to promote particular development outcomes |
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of international development and the changing role of law in promoting economic, human and sustainable development |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate complex and contentious ideas effectively both in oral and written form, and to be an active listener and inclusive discussant |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the effectiveness of using legal reforms to promote particular development outcomes, and the broader impact of legal development on society |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To critically analyse the use of legal concepts to promote particular development outcomes |
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of international development and the changing role of law in promoting economic, human and sustainable development |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired to analyse the successes and failures of particular case studies on legal reforms aimed at promoting economic, human or sustainable development |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate complex and contentious ideas effectively both in oral and written form, and to be an active listener and inclusive discussant |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the effectiveness of using legal reforms to promote particular development outcomes, and the broader impact of legal development on society |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3). |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of international development and the changing role of law in promoting economic, human and sustainable development |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate complex and contentious ideas effectively both in oral and written form, and to be an active listener and inclusive discussant |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To critically analyse the use of legal concepts to promote particular development outcomes |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired to analyse the successes and failures of particular case studies on legal reforms aimed at promoting economic, human or sustainable development |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the effectiveness of using legal reforms to promote particular development outcomes, and the broader impact of legal development on society |
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