DEVS3012 Political Economies of Development (5 cr)

The course covers basic theories explaining the origins and causes of global poverty and uneven development, together with recent trends on poverty. Issues discussed will be the ongoing impacts of colonialism, unbalanced trade relations, development finance, World Bank / IMF, capital flows and debt. The students will also write a case study, in which a specific area or topic is situated in the wider global political economy framework.

The course will contribute to DEICO learning outcomes: (1) understand the main concepts and theories related to international development, their evolution, and the critical debates around them (5) understand the intertwined nature of challenges related to environmental, economic, social, and cultural sustainability, sensitivity to manifestations of local and global inequalities, and willingness to contribute for the better planetary well-being for all.

Upon completion of the course, students will have a good grasp of the basic concepts and approaches in global political economy and theories of economic development. They will also have acquired a critical and reflexive understanding of the inequalities s well as political economy of development interventions.

Assessment details: Lectures, individual project. Quality of the case study, final exam.

Study materials include parts of books and academic articles. These materials will be announced during the course, and might also depend on the chosen individual project.