DEVT 1001 - Introduction to Development Studies

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the multi-disciplinary field of development studies. It introduces students to key debates in development theory, to the history of development policy and practice, and to the range of multilateral, bilateral and NGO organizations that are currently engaged in the development enterprise. Through a series of empirically-rich case-studies, drawn from across the developing and newly-industrialized worlds, the course also looks at the main sectors in which development organizations engage, including: governance and security, health, education, environmental and natural resource management, and legal reform. Throughout, particular attention is paid to the effects of development policy and practice upon the lives of ordinary people, and especially upon the lives of the more than 1 billion people who currently live `below the poverty line. In all of these ways, the course encourages students to think critically about what development is, about how it is carried out and, most importantly of all, about what it can achieve.

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Course Details

Course Code	DEVT 1001
Course	Introduction to Development Studies
Coordinating Unit	Anthropology and Development Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	book review, essay, participation

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Richard Vokes

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Develop knowledge of, and developed insights into, key issues and concerns of development policy, practice and theory
2	Demonstrate ability to understand the history and application of key theoretical approaches to international development
3	Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate central themes, propositions and concepts in development studies
4	Develop the skills to work collaboratively in teams as well as individually in a learning and research environment
5	Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to continuous learning and social scientific research

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	2
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1, 3, 4
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	2, 5
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	5
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	3, 5
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 2, 4

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials which develop the material covered in lectures.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

2 x 1-hour lectures (or equivalent) per week	24 hours per semester
1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week	12 hours per semester
6 hours reading per week	72 hours per semester
2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week	24 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD	156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	What is development?
Week 2	Post-Colonial states and 'the development encounter'
Week 3	The problem of land
Week 4	Participation, PRA and 'grassroots movements'
Week 5	The Neo-Liberal turn
Week 6	Globalisation, trade and debt
Week 7	Working in development
Week 8	The state and governance
Week 9	Security, conflict and disaster
Week 10	Environment and population
Week 11	Media and development
Week 12	The future?

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

No information currently available.

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at and participation in tutorials on a weekly basis is a primary requirement of this course. Each student is required to attend a minimum number of 6 tutorials to pass the course.

Assessment Detail

Tutorial Participation: Students are expected to come prepared to participate at weekly tutorials and complete the minimum of the one or two essential readings for the week. Students are also required to participate in the weekly activities or debates organised for the week - 10% weighting.

Book reviews: students will submit two book reviews during the course - 15% weighting per review for a total 30% weighting.

1500 word essay: students submit an essay on question chosen from a list - 60% weighting.

Submission

All assignments must be submitted electronically via MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator