Key issues in Global Development Studies: Alternative Theories and New Perspectives

YK-111, YK-112, YK-213

The aim of the course is to deepen the student’s understanding of the multifaceted and complex global forms of development as well as possible future directions. After completing the course, the student has a more nuanced and critical understanding of the importance of worldwide development on both the theoretical and practical level. The student has a better understanding of today’s most pressing problems and trends in developing countries, as well as their possible alternatives and solutions. After completing the course, the student recognises the complexity of developing countries and are able to articulate it. They also have a general understanding of the current debate around the post-development trend.

After completing the course, students are experienced in applying theories to both historical and contemporary problems and trends, and have the ability to evaluate their usability. The course prepares the students to write their bachelor’s thesis from the perspective of development theories and their use.

Literature:

Desai, V. & Potter, R. 2014. Companion to Development Studies. 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Gerard, M. & McCloskey, S. 2015. From the local to the global: Key issues in development studies. London: Pluto Press.

Kothari, A. Salleh, A., Escobar, A. Demaria, F. and Acosta, A. 2019. Pluriverse: A Post-Development Dictionary. New Delhi: Tulika Books.

Veltmeyer, H & Bowles, P (2018) The Essential Guide to Critical Development Studies. Routledge.

Raewyn Connell (2007) Southern Theory: the global dynamics of knowledge in social science. Wiley.

The Routledge Handbook of Transformative Global Studies, edited by S.A. Hamed Hosseini et al. (Routledge, 2022)

Literature for book exam / examinarium:

Veltmeyer, H & Bowles, P (2018) The Essential Guide to Critical Development Studies. Routledge.

Raewyn Connell (2007) Southern Theory: the global dynamics of knowledge in social science. Wiley.

Kothari, A. Salleh, A., Escobar, A. Demaria, F. and Acosta, A. 2019. Pluriverse: A Post-Development Dictionary. New Delhi: Tulika Books.

Timing

Period 1

Completion methods

1) Teaching and learning will take place in the format of weekly lectures and in-class discussion, assigned weekly readings, documentaries, a small group work project to be orally presented in class, as well as a final individual essay. The lecture course is compulsory for the students in the Study Direction of Development Studies. Possible restrictions of participation will be announced in the annual study programme. Only in exceptional cases can the course be replaced by a book exam in Examinarium, examining a selection of max 1000 pages from the three above-listed course books.

2) Book exam / examinarium

Assessment practices and criteria

Students will be evaluated with a final grade on a scale of 1-5. The final grade consists of all course assignment grades as well as participation and attendance in class.