Development Studies (DEST) 201 - Lecture 20

Introduction to Development Studies

Spring 2008

MW 18:30-21:00 SS 113

 

Instructor:                    John Abraham

Office Location:            TBA

Office Phone:            220-5553

E-Mail:                        jjabraha@ucalgary.ca

Office Hours:              TBA

 

Course Description

This course is designed to offer students an introduction to the main ideas, debates and experiences that constitute the field of international development. They will explore the multidimensional nature of international development through topics such as Poverty, Inequality, Sustainability, and Colonialism.

 

Objectives of the Course

-To provide students with a strong foundation in the concepts and issues surrounding international development. These will enhance their views on related issues and provide them with a basis for future courses in the area of international development.

- To provide them 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 and critical perspective.

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

EVALUATION

PRE-SESSION READING QUIZ (10%)

MIDTERM EXAM #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 all materials presented by guest speakers, and any audio-visual material shown in the class.

MIDTERM EXAM #2 (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 all materials presented by guest speakers, and any audio-visual material shown in the class.

FINAL EXAM (30%): Scheduled by registrar.

The exam takes the same format as the midterm Examination, and will cover all topics treated in the course. This exam will not be cumulative.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:   YES

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

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. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. 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 (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Additional Information

USE OF E-MAIL

Students are encouraged to contact me via email. Please note that e-mail messages can be sent to the wrong address, accidentally deleted, buried or mysteriously disappeared into cyberspace. All questions and requests should preferably be made in person, especially if they concern extensions and other serious matters.

 

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/info

"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 Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

 

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out in class.