DEVS3013 Development Theories (5 cr)
Description
Through assigned readings, lectures, discussions and writing a reflective essay, the course offers an introduction to the current critical debates such as decolonization of development, to the origins of the concept and idea of development in Enlightenment, modernization, and colonialism, as well as the critiques provided by alternative development and postcolonial approaches. The course encourages theoretical argumentation and ability to reflect conceptual underpinnings of approaches in development policy and practice
Learning outcomes
The course will contribute to the DEICO programme learning objective: (1)understanding the main concepts and theories related to international development, their evolution, and the critical debates around them. Upon the completion of the course students understand the main contemporary theoretical debates in social sciences around the concept of development and are familiar with their historical roots. They will also be experienced in comparing and contrasting different approaches and reflecting their implications for development policy and practice.
Study materials
Peet and Harwick (2015), selected parts.
Henning et al. (2023) selected parts.
Articles assigned in the beginning of the course.
Literature
- Peet, Richard, and Elaine Hartwick. 2015. Theories of Development : Contentions, Arguments, Alternatives. Third edition. Guilford Publications. ISBN 9781462519606 e-book.
- Melber, Henning, Uma Kothari, Laura Camfield, and Kees Biekart (eds). 2023. Challenging Global Development. Towards Decoloniality and Justice. Palgrave Mac Millan. ISBN e-book 978-3-031-30308-1. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-30308-1