The Company and the Country: A story of development, disaster and disenfranchisement PG (11715.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | Online real-time |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Arts And Design |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| School Of Arts And Communications | Post Graduate Level | Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) |
This unit charts the role of corporations in the development of nation-states from the time of the Atlantic slave trade to the present day. It equips students with the knowledge and skills required to interrogate the way in which companies have come to shape notions of modernity in development contexts, assess the impact of the rise of corporations on communities, and challenge a raft of prevalent assumptions around the role of private capital in the pursuit of development strategies and goals.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Assess the legal, economic, and political impact of the company in developmental contexts, especially with under-privileged communities;
2. Determine how companies have moulded the way modernity and development are understood in the present;
3. Develop an understanding of the place of companies within contemporary development theories; and
4. Question the role of companies and the private sector in the development of nations and communities, particularly in the Global South.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Skills development
From slavery to banking, from the Virginia Company of the 1600s to sovereign wealth funds of the 21st century, for nearly half a millennium the fates of countries have been intertwined with the fortunes of companies. At various times and places, companies have aided, hindered, bankrolled, or crippled the people on whose lands they operate. The company, perhaps more than any other institution, has shaped the world as we know it today. This unit charts the role of corporations in the development of nation-states from the time of the Atlantic slave trade to the present day. It equips students with the knowledge and skills required to interrogate the way in which companies have come to shape notions of modernity in development contexts, assess the impact of the rise of corporations on communities, and challenge a raft of prevalent assumptions around the role of private capital in the pursuit of development strategies and goals.
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
Familiarity with basic concepts in International Development.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | Online real-time | Dr Ernest Koh |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | Online real-time | Mrs Senada Meskin |
Required texts
The readings in this unit are available on Canvas under the Modules and Reading List.
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Artificial intelligence
Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.
GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:
- the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
- the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
- the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.
Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.
The GenAI for StudentsLinks to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Participation requirements
This unit will run in intensive mode from Weeks 1 - 5. Attendance in the workshops is compulsory.
From Week 6 onwards, students will be guided in their learning via small group or 1-to-1 consultation sessions with the unit convenor as they prepare their mini thesis (assignment 3). The meeting times for these sessions will be negotiated based on mutual availability.
Required IT skills
This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
