Discuss the extent to which the PASH (power, agency, scale, history) framework can help to explain Shanghai’s path to development.Preparation for TMA 06 Cut-off date: 11 May 2022 So far, this block has tried to do two main things: introduce you to debates on ‘wellbeing’ and provide you with an opportunity to begin revisiting the module in preparation for the exam, by re-examining the links between PASH and a number of key module concepts. It has done so by: introducing you to ways in which international development can be made personal introducing you to new policy debates on making wellbeing the goal of international development examining the strengths and weaknesses of the wellbeing approach in the context of international development policy using the PASH framework helping you to foster a critical awareness of the effects that making development personal can have providing you with an opportunity to link PASH with the key module concepts. You are expected to use this third week of study to prepare for TMA 06. This assignment has been developed to facilitate your preparation for the examination by having you answer a previously used question from Part 3 of the exam paper, the part of the exam that asks you to write an essay in relation to core themes you’ve learned about over the module and drawing on at least two blocks of the module to do so. This practice opportunity, as well as your tutor’s feedback from your submitted TMA 06, will help you with your exam preparation. In addition, this TMA will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your critical reflection on a module concept, in itself relevant to different parts of the module. TMA 06 has two questions: Question 1: This is in the form of a Part 3 exam question from a previous paper. It carries slightly less than three quarters of the total score. The word limit is 1000 words. Question 2: This consists of two sub-questions and you are asked to answer both. This part of the assignment is about your reflection on a key module concept. It carries one third of the total score. Your answer should not exceed 250 words for each sub-question. You will need to rely on the notes you have taken on your chosen concept throughout the module. You are reminded to read the Assessment Guide for general guidance. This TMA covers module materials associated with Block 6 as well as linking to previous blocks in the module. This assignment has two questions, with Question 2 containing two parts. You should answer all questions. You should submit your completed assignment to arrive no later than 12 noon (UK local time) on the cut-off date of 11 May 2022. Learning outcomes Learning outcomes This TMA is designed to assess the following module learning outcomes. Please bear them in mind as you prepare and write your answers. The learning outcomes referred to are longer than in previous TMAs because of the TMA’s intention of linking to learning outcomes relating to different parts of the module as practice for writing an exam answer. Explain the complex interactions among political, economic and social actors across the international system that impact on development. Evaluate the impact of historical contexts on the development of countries and the international order. Assess the role of power and agency in development, including shifting balances of power between and within countries and between other actors. Analyse development processes at different scales; local, national, regional and international. Analyse complex situations, synthesise information, construct reasoned arguments and exercise judgement appropriately. Construct and communicate, effectively and fluently, arguments using clear conceptual frameworks and integrating both quantitative and qualitative evidence where appropriate. Critically reflect on the origins and impact of individual viewpoint, your own and that of others, on policy formulation and decision making. Consider how equality, social justice and inclusion might be incorporated into development practice alongside established concerns, such as economic growth and environmental sustainability. Question 1 Discuss the extent to which the PASH (power, agency, scale, history) framework can help to explain Shanghai’s path to development. Your answer should be no more than 1000 words. (70 marks) Question 2 Please select one concept: either interventionism OR poverty. how your beliefs and attitudes influenced your understanding of the chosen concept at the beginning and during your study of TD223. Your answer should be no more than 250 words. how and whether your current understanding of your chosen concept has modified your beliefs about and attitudes towards international development during and towards the end of your study of TD223. Your answer should be no more than 250 words. (30 marks) Student notes These notes are designed to assist you in preparing and structuring your study and writing process for this TMA. It is recommended that you read these notes carefully and follow the suggestions outlined below to give yourself the best chance of addressing the questions explicitly and systematically. Question 1 Answering Question 1, which is a past question from Part 3 of the examination, begins your process of revising for the exam. If you have time, as part of your preparation you may want to review the VLE and activities in Weeks 30-31, and in particular read the Specimen Examination Paper (SEP). The material on revision in Weeks 30–31 is also likely to be useful. The key words/concepts and phrases in this question are ‘PASH’ (power, agency, scale, history) and ‘Shanghai’s path to development’. You also need to ‘discuss the extent to which’ PASH can help to explain Shanghai’s path to development. The way the question is phrased suggests that it might strongly, or weakly help explain Shanghai’s path to development, and/or some aspects of the framework help explain it more strongly than others. It may also be that other frameworks or theories of international development, perhaps alongside PASH, provide a more comprehensive explanation of Shanghai’s path to development. You will need to explain what the PASH framework is and how it can help to explain Shanghai’s path to development. PASH was introduced in Block 1, Week 3, and in Book 1, Chapter 2 which is entitled ‘Contesting development in theory and practice’. Block 1, Week 3 has a number of ways of understanding PASH through concrete examples and diagramming techniques. The PASH framework, is discussed throughout TD223. As this is a question from Part 3 of the exam, which cuts across the module, you should try to incorporate understanding gained from studying Blocks 1–5 when addressing this question. Material on Shanghai’s path to development can be found throughout the module, including the Shanghai video, elsewhere in Block 1, and in Block 2. You can also draw on your learning from other blocks, such as, for example, Block 6, that looks at development critically, especially from the viewpoint of the global North. As always, the key will be to be selective so that you have space to discuss and evidence your arguments in a relevant way. However, markers will reward answers that draw on material from across TD223 to develop arguments further. The exam will be online, with a time limit of 24 hours and a word limit. Bearing this in mind, the planning process will be important practice too, and, as explained below, you may attempt to write your answer as if under exam conditions. However, you set about writing it, you will need to edit your answer if it does result in an answer that exceeds the word limit by more than 10%. To begin your thinking and preparation for this assignment, it is suggested that you start your writing by reviewing your notebook. Hopefully, by this stage you will feel confident in your use of PASH. But do still make use of your notebook entries, and you can search your electronic notebook, if your notebook took that form, for ‘power’, ‘agency’, ‘scale’ and ‘history’. By doing so, you can see the contexts in which you have used these words (for instance, your entries for the activities in Week 2 of this block). If you use a paper notebook, you might have used a highlighter or post-its as Jane Roberts suggested in her Block 1 podcast. Going through these entries in your notebook will help you to consolidate how you have come to understand these concepts, and we also strongly encourage you to bear in mind or specifically review your tutor feedback on your use of PASH in previous TMAs. Once you are happy with your understanding of the key concepts, you could for example look at the experiences of those portrayed in the Shanghai film. It is a good idea to refresh your memory by viewing the film again, paying attention to how PASH are articulated by the participants and/or indicated in other ways in the video. While you are doing so, you are strongly encouraged to practise the note-taking skills you learned in Week 1 of Block 1. You might find the transcripts of the video useful. After reviewing the concepts and the material on Shanghai, try to explain the links between PASH and Shanghai’s path to development in your own words. You may find it helpful to review the Block 6, Week 2 PASH analyses, but remember that the purpose of any TMA is to incorporate your own choice of examples from different parts of the module for analysis, and to make arguments of your own to demonstrate your understanding and skills. You will also want to try to incorporate other conceptual and/or theoretical learning as relevant, albeit you won’t have space to discuss every potentially relevant learning area. This is a practice answer for the type of question that appears in Part 3 of the TD223 examination. It is intended to help prepare you for the examination by giving you the confidence of having written and received feedback on an exam question. You may wish to test yourself by revising the material for the question and then write your answer to the question under a limited space of time (3 days). It is up to you whether you choose to then edit to improve it for feedback (in addition to any edits you make to meet the word limit, which can be exceeded by up to 10% as a maximum). You may find editing your answer helpful, in itself, for your revision, or you may prefer to see your tutor’s feedback on your answer written under mock exam conditions. Please incorporate references as you have done in the other TMAs. In doing this practice for the exam, it is important to develop a clear introduction that outlines your approach to addressing the question. In the exam it is a good idea to try to ‘front load’ your answer as much as possible. In other words, make it very clear to your examiners from the outset to what extent you think PASH can help to explain Shanghai’s path to development, and some key reasons for your answer. Also, your reader, or in this case your tutor acting in the role of your examiner, might interpret the question differently from you, so start with an introduction that makes the logic of your argument as clear as possible by being explicit about how your essay interprets and applies the question. Briefly spelling out the main point(s) of your argument in your introduction is also good practice. When constructing your argument, you need to ensure that you substantiate your statements with evidence systematically. Every point you make in your argument should be seen as directly relevant to the assignment question. The onus is on you, the writer, to make your writing self-explanatory. Therefore, if in doubt, you need to spell the link out. Your conclusion should summarise your argument explicitly and link your argument directly to the question. Markers will be looking for the following aspects in your work: Do you use appropriate concepts, theories, frameworks, debates and concrete examples to discuss the extent to which the PASH framework can help to explain Shanghai’s path to development? Have you used material from across the module in your argument? Is the essay a critical discussion of PASH and Shanghai’s development? Does it try to look at strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, and attempt to bring in and/or weigh the strength of different types of evidence? Is the essay well-structured, with an introduction, main section and conclusion? Is the argument developed coherently and effectively? Does the essay answer the question asked? Is the essay within the word length (no more than 10% over)? Question 2 This question asks you to incorporate the reflection and critical thinking that you have done throughout the module. As with previous blocks, before starting your TMA, you will have listened to a podcast by Jane Roberts, which considers how you can best tie up the loose ends of your reflection in TD223 and move forward to the examination. You are given some latitude in answering this question. After you make your decision as to which concept you would like to focus on, it is suggested that you follow Jane’s advice to begin the process of your writing by going to your notebook. As before, if you have used the online notebook to take your notes, you will find the ‘search’ function useful. If you have carried out your note taking in a paper notebook, it is suggested that you go to the places where you have discussed, whether directly or indirectly, your chosen concept. It is worth keeping in mind that there will be learning material to reflect on that may link to your chosen concept. For example, the concept of inequality is mainly dealt with in Block 3 and in Book 1, Chapter 9. The concept of structuralism is mainly covered in Block 1 and Block 2. Whichever your choice of concept, it is a good idea to review relevant chapters and online activities you wish to consider, as well as your notes relevant to it. There are two sub-questions to this part of the assignment. These two sub-questions are designed to help you to examine how your learning changes your beliefs and attitudes, and vice versa. Do keep your answers to these two parts separate and indicate clearly where the answer to 2(a) ends and the answer to 2(b) begins. As the process word for both sub-questions is ‘explain’, you need to ensure that you provide details for how and why. The word ‘influence’ suggests a process of change so ensure that you clearly outline this process. If your beliefs and attitudes have not changed as a result of studying this module, that is not a problem; however, you would still need to provide reflective discussion about why that is. You might find revisiting the discussion on ‘reflection’ in the Module Guide helpful in terms of understanding how our beliefs and values impact on our attitudes. For more advice on how to write using critical reflection you can access the article Reflective writing: a basic introduction (Hampton, 2010). Finally, Question 2 of this TMA should, in different ways from Question 1, be very useful for your exam preparation, both in terms of developing your learning of Block 6, but also because of making links and reinforcing understanding of the material you revisit. However, since Question 2 is not an exam practice question in the same way as Question 1, here you should reference your answers using the Cite Them Right referencing system that you hopefully feel confident in using now, and as something that will continue to be important practice in your remaining studies. The markers will be looking for the following aspects: Is the answer well-structured, with an introduction, main section and conclusion? Does the answer draw on relevant examples from your notebook? Does the answer refer to an adequate range of sources from the module? Does the answer address the questions? For example, does the answer provide a clear and coherent account of how your beliefs and attitudes and the chosen concept influenced each other throughout your study of TD223? If your beliefs and attitudes have not changed, have you provided an explanation as to why that is? Does the answer provide evidence that you have looked back at your learning journey and provided an in-depth (as far as reasonably possible within the word limits) account of your observations and reflection? Is the answer within the word length (no more than 10% over)? Is the answer correctly referenced?
