Development Studies (DEST) 201- Lecture 01
Introduction to Development Studies
Fall 2007
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00 - 12:15, EDC 386

Instructor:	Dr. Apentiik
Office Location:	Social Science Building 252
Office Phone:	403-220-3396
E-Mail:	rapentii@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	----
Office Hours:	Tuesday 13:00 - 14:30 or by appointment

Additional Information

Additional information/materials on the course posted on Blackboard

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation and understanding of the major theoretical and methodological debates and approaches that have informed global development thinking, policy and practice of the past sixty years. The emphasis will be to examine the historical context in which different theoretical approaches to development have emerged and their current practical implications for both the "developed" and "developing" countries.

Drawing from national and international case studies, the course will examine the meanings of the term "development" and the historical process behind the emergence of major global complex issues such as poverty, inequality and injustice. Students will have the unique opportunity to critically reflect and analyze how certain parts of the world came to be classified as "underdeveloped" and in need of "development" solutions.

Students are strongly urged to use this opportunity to think "outside the box," to open their minds to the possibility that no single theoretical position has all the answers, and to consider new ways of conceptualizing and addressing developmental problems around the world

Objectives of the Course

• - To provide students with the tools and theoretical framework for understanding, critically analyzing and assessing various concepts and practical issues and debates relating to development, in both international and local contexts from an 'interdisciplinary perspective.
• - Provide a strong foundation for subsequent courses in Development Studies

Textbooks and Readings:

Required textbook

• 1. Allan and Thomas. 2000. Poverty and Development into the 21^st Century. Oxford: Oxford University Press

•2.      Additional Reading Material posted on  Blackboard

•3.      Recommended books (0n reserved --reserved section of the University library)

• 1. Vandana Desai and Robert Potter (eds.) 2002 The Companion to Development studies, Arnold: London.

Assignments and Evaluation

• MIDTERM EXAM: NOVEMBER 1 (30%)

The exam is designed to test your grasp of the theoretical material covered in lectures up to the date of the exam. This means that you will be expected to have read all the required and the recommended readings. Exams will also cover lectures by guest speakers, and information from videos/films shown in the class.

• FINAL EXAM (40%): Scheduled by registrar.

The exam follows the same format as the midterm Examination, and will cover all topics covered in the course

• FINAL RESEARCH PAPER (30%): To be submitted on December 6, in class.

 

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  Yes

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);

 C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be distributed in class. Also posted on blackboard