International Development

Course Description
International Development offers a coherent and interdisciplinary grounding in the core aspects of international development theory, policy and practice. The students are exposed to the diversity of issues with which today’s world Nations impact each other on many levels that shape everyday life all over the world. Having completed the course the student will have attained a clear understanding of the stakes involved in international development, will possess a thorough conceptual framework and the skills necessary to effectively analyze different perspectives on international development, and how they have shaped policy and debates. The course consists of four parts: Part One brings in key concepts, historical contexts of development thinking and action and theoretical approaches.The course provides an overarching background in contemporary theories and debates in international development studies, including debates around postmodern and post-colonial approaches. Part Two discusses the economic forces driving vital issues in the international system after World War II since the end of the Cold War to the present day. It pays primarily attention to the evolution and growth of the trade, monetary, financial
systems and the interrelationship of economics and politics in the global economy. Part Three explores and analyzes the role of other relevant agents of development such as: Multilateral agencies, multinational corporations, and the role of China. Part Four focuses on understanding complex development problems by drawing on the knowledge gained about theories, concepts, and development actors. A selection of key issues of significant interest to the students comprise: climate change, rural development, food security, migration, refugees, poverty, gender inequality, global health crisis, sustainable development.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand and explain key theories of international development studies and their historical context;
• Locate contemporary debates on politics of development in a broader theoretical and historical perspective;
• Work with theoretical knowledge and apply theory to practical issues;
• Acquire conceptual understanding of the world system and the way it works (trade, monetary, financial),
• that will allow them to critically evaluate policies, and practices, and be able to relate them to empirical problems in Latin America, Africa, and Asia;
• Reflect critically on the appropriateness of MNCs and their role in developement;
• Assess the roles in the formulation of multilateral development policies by the UN system;
• Debate on new actors in International Development, such as China and other emerging economies;
• Identify and analyze main challenges for development in the international arena and be able to discuss
• critically issues such as climate change, rural development, poverty, migration, and the like. As well as identify the practical and ethical problems and its limits;
• Exercise writing skills and methodology while working on the research paper on a topic of his/her particular interest, and deepen knowledge.