DEVT 4002 - Honours International Development: Theory

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of theoretical issues in Development Studies. It begins with a discussion of the nature of Development Studies as a field and how it is different/similar to other fields such as Area Studies, Anthropology, Economics etc. It then introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives in Development Studies including classical and neoclassical economics, Keynesianism, neo-liberalism, modernisation theory, dependency theory, world systems theory, neo-Marxism, institutionalism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, and post-developmentalism.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DEVT 4002
    Course Honours International Development: Theory
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites Bachelor of Development Studies or completed degree (72 units) with a 24 unit major in Development Studies
    Restrictions Available only to those students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Description This course aims to provide students with an understanding of theoretical issues in Development Studies. It begins with a discussion of the nature of Development Studies as a field and how it is different/similar to other fields such as Area Studies, Anthropology, Economics etc. It then introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives in Development Studies including classical and neoclassical economics, Keynesianism, neo-liberalism, modernisation theory, dependency theory, world systems theory, neo-Marxism, institutionalism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, and post-developmentalism.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Thomas Wanner

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes


    1.      Secure and accurate understanding of the nature and theories of international development

    2.      In-depth knowledge of the historical development of the discipline and the policy and practice of international development

    3.      Knowledge of and critical insight into key issues and concerns raised about development institutions, policies and interventions.

    4.       Ability to understand, discuss and apply key theoretical approaches to contemporary development contexts and situations. 

    5.      Ability to design and implement a research project/essay based on a critical analysis of a key theoretical perspective and its relationship with policy within a specific timeframe.

    6.      Understanding of and commitment to continuous learning and research into development policies and programs, and acknowledgement of specific cultural and social issues in global development programs and policies.  

    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3, 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The required resources are listed on the course outline and are available in the library or via online databases. These are also available on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    All of the resources for the course are available online and on MyUni In addition you will find articles in the following journals particularly useful: World Development, Journal of Development Studies, Third World Quarterly, Journal of International Development, Progress in Development Studies, Development-in-Practice, Development and Change, IDS Bulletin, Development Policy Review, and Development Bulletin.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

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

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    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
  • Fraud Awareness

    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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