Course syllabus

 

 

DEVELOP 709: Theories of International Development

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

 

Tuesdays 1-3 pm, 104-G07

(Old Choral Hall, Room G07)

 

Course Convenor: 

Andreas Neef - a.neef@auckland.ac.nz

 

Course delivery format:

2 hours of lectures/discussions

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 

Summary of Course Description:              

The purpose of this course is to interrogate theories of development through a close reading of scholarly texts. The aim is to critically examine the major theoretical foundations in development studies from a contemporary perspective. The course starts with historical trajectories of development, beginning with colonisation and the central place given to economic growth by classical thinkers and in early development interventions. It turns a corner with the examination of Amartya Sen’s work in his seminal book Development as Freedom, and then focusses on contemporary theories of development, including theories of justice, access, participation, governmentality and post-development. The course concludes with reflections on development alternatives, including indigenous worldviews and endogenous development approaches.

 

Course outcomes:

By the end of this semester, students should know:

1. the main theories of development
2. their critical evaluation from a contemporary perspective
3. the importance of history, power and culture in development practices

By the end of this semester, students should be able to:

1. articulate the main theories of development in a critical manner
2. research and write a critical research essay by applying the class learnings to a particular country case study
3. be able to condense readings from a book into a critical book review

 

Assessment Summary:

All assignments need to be brought in hard copy to lecture on their due dates. Please use title pages and headers in your essays with your name and course number.

A) Critical Reading

Due:    27 March

Length: 500 words (15%) 

For this assessment you are required to think critically about the assigned readings, read swiftly and write succinctly. This will help you to develop the writing skills necessary for the subsequent essay, such as presenting argument clearly and coherently. The critical reading will cover at least two of the assigned readings on any week of your choice up to the due date. Rather than a summary or review of the readings, your assessment should focus on the arguments and ideas presented. Look for tensions, contradictions and gaps. Compare the differences between the texts and discuss the language and theoretical perspectives employed.

 

B) Book Review

Due:    26 April

Length: 1,500 – 2,000 words (35%)

For your second assignment, you will write a book review of Amartya Sen’s seminal book “Development as Freedom”. The challenge is to critically examine the main arguments Sen makes in his book.

This book is the only required textbook for this class and you can purchase it from the campus book store. You are expected to read the book in its entirety, to write the book review and to participate in class discussions. For your book review, you can draw on existing book reviews and previously published analysis of Sen’s book, but these must be referenced and incorporated into your essay.

 

C) Research Essay

Due:    22 May

Length: 3,500-4,000 words (50%)

For your research essay, you are required to select a country of the Global South and critically analyse one of its development challenges and/or strategies using the theories and ideas discussed in class and in the readings. You must take into account historical factors and address such issues as economic growth, poverty, inequality, injustice, and/or power imbalances the country faces. The aim is to apply the theoretical learnings of the classroom to a real-life case study.

 

Weekly Topics:

Week	Date	Topic
1	27 Feb	Introduction: What is Development?
2	06 Mar	Historical Trajectories: Colonialism and Imperialism (Guest lecturer: Dr Jesse Hession Grayman)
3	13 Mar	Classical Thinkers on Economic Growth, Capitalism and Development
4	20 Mar	Classical Thinkers on Poverty, Hunger and Underdevelopment
5	27 Mar	From Keynesian Welfare Economics and Poverty Alleviation to Washington Consensus and Neoliberalism  Critical Reading Due!
		Mid-Semester Break
6	17 April	Development as Freedom
7	24 April	Theories of Justice and Access  Book Review Due!
8	01 May	Practices of Power: Governmentality (Guest Lecturer: Dr Jesse Hession Grayman)
9	08 May	Post-Development Theory: Deconstruction/Reconstruction
10	15 May	The Development Problematic in the Post 2015 Era
11	22 May	Indigenous Worldviews and Endogenous Development Research Essay Due!
12	29 May	Class Forum

 

 

Prescribed Texts:

Sen, Amartya (1999) Development as Freedom. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.

For all other prescribed readings, see reading list and syllabus under "Files"

Recommended Texts:

For all recommended readings, see reading list

 

Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.

 

Inclusive learning:

Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course convenor.