Development Studies (DEST) 201 - Lecture 02
INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
Winter 2007
MWF 1400  

Instructor:	Mr. John Abraham
Office Location:	SS 301
Office Phone:	220-2580/220-5553
E-Mail:	jjabraha@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	Tuesday 1600-1700

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.

Textbooks and Readings:

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

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

MIDTERM EXAM #1 February 07 (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 March 16 (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 (40%): 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: No

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 wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

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. 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.

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.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

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

Week 1 (January 8 - 12) INTRODUCTION: Concepts and Issues, Poverty. pp. 10-19

Week 2 (January 15 - 19) THE PROBLEMS: Hunger, Disease, Unemployment and Inequality pp. 53-56, 60-68; 76-84; 100-101, 112-120

Week 3 (January 22 - 26) THE PHYSICAL CONTEXT: Population, Conflict, Culture pp. 126-136; 172-180; 454-464

Week 4 (January 29 - February 2) THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Colonialism, Socialism, Capitalism pp. 241-252; 309-318; 331-341

Week 5 (February 5 - 9) Review, 1st Midterm, Guest Lecture

Week 6 (February 12 - 16) NO CLASSES

Week 7 (February 19 - 23) BLOCK WEEK

Week 8 (February 26 – March 2) INSTITUTIONS: International Agencies, State and Private, Canada’s role in ID pp. 189-215

Week 9 (March 5 - 9) THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT: Dependency Theory, Modernization Theory, Sustainability pp. 23-48

Week 10 (March 12 - 16) Review, Second Midterm, Guest Lecture

Week 11 (March 19 - 23) TOPICS: Globalization, Governance, Gender. pp. 346-352; 374-382; 384-392

Week 12 (March 26 - 30) PERSPECTIVES: International Trade, Millennium Development Goals, Micro-Credit. pp. 252-262; 396-398

Week 13 (April 2 - 4) TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: The Personal Dimension, Careers in ID NO READINGS

Week 14 (April 9 - 13) Review, Final Examination