DEVELOP 709 : Theories of International Development

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines early and contemporary theories and paradigms of international development, including modernisation and dependency theory, neoliberalism, human development, post-development, and participatory development. Investigates the dominance of economic growth as a development target and how this has been contested. The course will enable students to critically analyse the processes and phenomena involved in what is called ‘development’.

Course Overview

The purpose of this course is to interrogate theories of development through a close reading of scholarly texts. The aim is to work towards critically examining some of the theoretical foundations in development studies.
The course starts with historical trajectories of development beginning with colonisation and the central place given to economic growth in early development interventions. It turns a corner with the examination of economist Amartya Sen’s work in his book, Development as Freedom, and then focuses on contemporary theories of development.
The course is delivered in the form of short lectures, plenary and small group discussions, and brief presentations of recommended readings by pairs of students. 

By the end of this semester, students should know:
  • The main theories of international development and how to apply them to contemporary development challenges in both developing and developed country contexts.
  • Key theoretical concepts in development such as colonisation, neoliberalism, poverty in its multiple dimensions, development as freedom, post-development, governmentality, indigenous development, alternative development, and rights-based approaches to development.
  • The importance of theory in the critical analysis of international development issues.

By the end of this semester, students should be able to:
  • Critically articulate and challenge the arguments found in the main theories of development.
  • Write a "critical" book review.
  • Research and write a "critical" essay by applying the class learnings to a particular development challenge.

Course Requirements

Restriction: DEVELOP 700

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and critically evaluate classical and contemporary international development theories (Capability 1.1 and 2.1)
  2. Communicate and debate your own critical assessment of selected international development theories in both verbal and written forms (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  3. Research and present a contemporary development challenge in a developing or developed country context by applying the theoretical concepts discussed in class and acquired through readings (Capability 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  4. Demonstrate an advanced ability to engage in self-directed learning for enhancing future personal progress and employability (Capability 5.2)
  5. Situate Aotearoa New Zealand's development agenda within a broad theoretical understanding of the country's Pacific identity and global responsibilities (Capability 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Critical Reading 15% Individual Coursework
Book Review 35% Individual Coursework
Research Essay 50% Individual Coursework

Learning Resources

The only required text book for this course is Amartya Sen (1999) Development as Freedom. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. Other prescribed and recommended readings are provided via the reading list on Canvas.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures and 5 hours of reading and thinking about the content per week as well as a total of 36 hours of work on assignments.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

What Students Say about the Course:
“This course effectively matched theories with examples to help me understand. It covered theories in an understandable way, and made it clear of how to use them when applying to development.” 
“The class discussions and weekly reading reviews were really helpful. Great explanations of theories and really expanded my knowledge.”
“Great content, real life examples, extremely relevant and lots of opportunity to learn and ask questions.”
“Practical examples and research experiences to simplify the complicated aspects of theories. Constructive feedback and discussion time in class.”
Student evaluation, DEVELOP 709, Semester 1/2018

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/12/2019 09:35 a.m.