Development Studies

This course offers students an introduction to the field of development studies. It explores core concepts about ‘development’ and its real-world applications. . Along with an introduction to international development institutions, topics covered include colonialism and its legacies, Indigenous people, gender and development, environment and climate change, food insecurity, human rights and diversity, human displacement and migration, and economic relations. Discussion of these topics will be situated in the context of local, national and global case studies. Three credits.

An introduction to development theory and practice as it applies to inequality between countries, and within countries of the Global South. The course provides students with a critical analytical framework for understanding and evaluating development theories, policies, programs, trends, and impacts, especially since the formation of the Bretton Woods institutions. Students will explore the concepts of sustainable development and of social and economic justice as they relate to global development. Prerequisite: DEVS 101, or 24 credits, or permission of the co-ordinator. Three credits.

In this course, Canada’s path to development, and the challenges it currently faces will be explored. These include Canada’s current economy and how it is rapidly changing, its colonial history and the ramifications of that history, including for indigenous peoples and racialized communities, and the persistence of social, economic, and geographic inequalities that raise questions about the distribution of the benefits of development, the challenge of sustainability, given the stresses Canada place on the global physical and social environment, and the country’s changing demographics and its implications, including the role of migration and refugees. Prerequisite: DEVS 101, or 24 credits, or permission of the co-ordinator. Three credits.

Conducted from a global perspective, this course is intended for students who wish to broaden their understanding of the present and future impacts of climate change on societies, including the social justice elements of the issues. The course also focuses on the interventions that are being made to combat the impacts of climate change – from global policies to community-level actions. Students will be equipped to articulate the world-wide impacts of climate change, how it impacts people at a community level, and how citizen led action can lead to positive change. Cross-listed as CLEN 201. Prerequisite: CLEN 101, or permission of the instructor. Three credits.

Beginning with theories of local and community economic development and welfare, this course provides an economic analysis of community needs and resources (human resources, capital and natural resources, infrastructure). Students will examine interactions within the community and between the community and the outside world, exploring approaches to local and community economic development and planning. Cross-listed as ECON 211. Three credits.

Staying tuned to theories and intersections of three concepts: gender, migration, and development, the course will journey through topics like borders, sexuality, illegality, precarity, rights and vulnerability in relation to different kinds of migrants (asylum seekers, refugees, migrants without papers, temporary contract holders, care givers) and migrations (voluntary and forced). This is not all, we will also discuss migrant agency and migrant justice movements. Although the course is taught from a hyper-industrial and most developed location, we will hear narratives from the Global South, and the North-South connections in terms of migration. Credits will be granted for only one of DEVS 213 and WMGS 299 offered 2021-2022. Cross-listed as WMGS 213. Prerequisite: DEVS 101 or permission of the instructor. Three credits.

The course analyzes the forces affecting the globalization process, its evolution over time, and its impacts on development. It takes a broad view, from an interdisciplinary perspective, of the factors at work, their nature and their consequences. Topics considered include the fact and policy dimensions of globalization, questions that pertain to equity and fairness, issues concerning production, consumption, global markets, governance, and the role of various international institutions. It also analyzes the mechanisms linking the global to the local level. Prerequisites: DEVS 201, 202 or ECON 101, 102. Three credits.

The course considers the interrelationship of social, economic, and ecological considerations that pertain globalization processes that impact development. The course is grounded in theoretical consideration of the central role consumption plays in globalization, markets, ecological crises, and (in)equity. It provides an interdisciplinary analysis of such issues as: local and global markets, ecological stability, the significance of power, culture, norms, and various stakeholders in how consumption impacts sustainable and equitable development. It looks at particular initiatives including gender and the garment industry, boycotts, and child labour. Prerequisites: DEVS 201, 202 or permission of the instructor. Three credits.

In this seminar course, students make the link between theoretical discussion of development, social change, and actual practice, both locally and internationally. An in-class component addresses the practicalities of development, social change and social justice interventions and the major issues that affect them, such as: gender/ethnic/class stratification; power relations within and between localities and external agents; and indigenous versus dominant forms of knowledge. Student will then apply this in an experiential learning component in a local or international context. Prerequisites: DEVS 201, 202; or permission of the instructor. Three credits.

This course examines the people engaged in development policy and practice, from target populations, to NGO workers, international organizations, business and governments. Students will consider the impacts of strategies such as those promoting popular participation, gender equality, small-scale business, local knowledge and democratic reform, as well as of different forms of development institutions. The course uses case studies based on long-term, first-hand participant observation that place development processes in larger historical, political and economic contexts. Cross-listed as ANTH 320. Prerequisites: ANTH 111, 112 or DEVS 201, 202. Three credits. Offered every year.

The context, models, trends, opportunities, and challenges associated with social entrepreneurship focus on areas of public concern such as economic development, education, community welfare, and healthcare. These issues are examined using case studies, group projects, and experiential learning. Emphasis is on how entrepreneurship is combined with the tools of business to create effective responses to social needs and innovative solutions to social problems. Credit will be granted for only one of BSAD 352 or BSAD 457. Cross-listed as BSAD 352. Prerequisite: DEVS 201, 202. Three credits.

This course examines the state’s supremacy and its capacity to manage such global issues as: transnational flows of goods, services, money, and ideas; the phenomenon of failed states in the post-Cold War period; global environmental issues; weapons proliferation; terrorism and other forms of transnational crime; and the rise of transnational social activist groups. Cross-listed as PSCI 355.Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102(100) and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200-level (251/252 recommended) or DEVS 201, 202. Three credits.

Countries in the developing world face a distinct set of political challenges, particularly as they relate to fostering economic growth and providing effective public services. This course will explore the political determinants of development as well as the effect of economic conditions on political outcomes. Key issues include the origins of state weakness, the relationship between political institutions and economic growth, the causes of corruption, and the effect of diversity on governance outcomes. Credit will be granted for only one of DEVS 371 or DEVS 370. Cross-listed as PSCI 371. Prerequisites: PSCI 100 or PSCI 101, 102 or DEVS 201, 202. Three credits.

This seminar takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of theories that have shaped the conceptualization and practice of development around the world. The seminar focuses on current versions of general development theories such as: modernization, structuralism, Marxism, dependency theory, neoclassical and neoliberal theory, alternative development, and post-development. Examples of current theories that focus on key development issues are also covered. Prerequisites: DEVS 201, 202. Three credits.

This seminar is an examination of community development and its practice, and how local initiatives are contributing to sustainable development. Particular attention is paid to agency in communities and how it is expressed in active citizenship and solidarity. Examples from current development initiatives are used to explore and unpack what is meant by community development across Canada and internationally. Prerequisites: DEVS 201, 202. Three credits.

Building on DEVS 311 and rooted in experiential learning, this internship is designed to provide a more in-depth practical learning experience in a social change context. Internships take place over the spring and summer, lasting 2 to 3 months (or 4 to 6 months part time), in a local or international context or by distance. Reflective papers throughout the internship apply key learning approaches to understand impacts of social change on oneself and beyond. For the fall term, students participate in weekly seminars and complete assignments that explore the convergence of experiential learning, social justice, and development studies. Internships are frequently used towards an honours thesis or major research paper. Prerequisite: DEVS 311 and permission of the instructor. Three credits.

Students will work under the supervision of a faculty member who guides the selection of a thesis topic, use of resources, research methodology, and quality of analysis. Restricted to honours students. Six credits.