Development Studies (DEST) 201- L02
Introduction to Development Studies
Winter 2008

Saturday 1:00PM-5:00PM, SH 210
Class Dates: Jan 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 23; Mar 1, 8, 15, 29; Apr 5; Final Exam, Apr 19

Instructor:	Sophie Wertheimer
Office Location:	SS 209
E-Mail:	swerthei@ucalgary.ca
Office Hours:	Saturday 11:00AM-12:30PM, Tuesday 12:00PM-1:00PM or by appointment.

 

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the field of Development, both as a theoretical area of inquiry and in practice. Beginning with a review of the global historical context which has made Development necessary in the first place, the course will also review the theoretical and methodological approaches and debates that have marked the field of Development over the course of the last 60 years. This historical context will provide a basis upon which to understand the current issues and debates that mark the field of Development, how it is studied and carried out.   

Drawing from a range of inter-disciplinary sources, cases studies and examples, the course will examine the meanings and applications of development in responding to a number of current global issues, including poverty, injustice, famine, access to clean water, education, gender relations, health and HIV/AIDS. Tracing the historical conditions that have contributed to making these issues globally relevant, the course will address how they manifest themselves and impact the lives of individuals and communities throughout the world, both in "developing" and "developed" contexts. Examining the mechanisms that have been put into place to respond to some of these issues at international, national and grassroots levels, the course will provide a critical review of development as a field of inquiry and as field of practice.

Students are strongly urged to use this opportunity to think "outside the box" and open their minds to the possibility that no single theoretical position has all the answers. Tracing the historical and social background that has contributed to dividing the world into "developed" and "developing" contexts, students will be encouraged to critically consider the Development project, and to examine ways of understanding developmental problems around the world and how these are responded to. Students will also be expected to actively contribute to the class, through in-class participation and in-class presentations.

Objectives of the Course

-To provide students with the tools and theoretical framework in order to critically understand and analyze the historical background and various concepts and debates relating to development as a field of study, both in international and local contexts

-To provide students with an understanding of the field of development in practice, tracing its historical roots and current applications, both at international, national and grassroots levels

-To provide a foundation for subsequent courses in the field of Development Studies

Textbooks and Readings:

Required Textbook (available at the University Bookstore):

Allan and Thomas. (2002). Poverty and Development into the 21^st Century. Oxford:            Oxford University Press.

Recommended book (12 on reserve at the University bookstore):

De Beer and Swanepoel. (2002). Introduction to Development Studies. Oxford: Oxford      University Press.

Additional readings will be posted on Blackboard and/or distributed in class

Assignments and Evaluation:

-MID-TERM EXAM (30%): March 1

         This exam is designed to test your grasp of the theoretical material covered in lectures and assigned readings up to the date of the exam. This means that you will be expected to have read all the required readings. Exams will also cover lectures by guest speakers, and information from videos and other materials shown in the class. The exam will take place in class, and will include multiple-choice, short and long answer questions. Additional information about the exam will be provided in class.

-FINAL EXAM (40%): April 19, 2008, Scheduled by Registrar

         The final exam follows the same format as the midterm Examination, and will cover all topics covered in the course, including assigned readings, lectures, lectures by guest speakers and information from videos and other materials shown in the class. The exam will include multiple-choice, short and long answer questions.

-IN-CLASS PRESENTATION AND PRESENTATION WRITE-UP (30%)

            In groups of two, you will be asked to identify, research and develop a 7-10 minute presentation about a Development project of your choice being carried out in the country or community of your choice. Providing a review of the actual Development project itself, you will also be expected to highlight how it relates to some of the issues and material covered in class. Presentations will be done in the last four classes of the semester. On the day of your presentation, you will be expected to hand in a five-page (double-spaced) report. While presentations will be done in groups of two, reports will be written and handed in individually. Again, in the written report, you will be asked to describe the Development project you have chosen (the same as the one addressed in your presentation), why you have chosen it, and to relate it to some of the material, issues and debates covered in class. This exercise is designed to allow you to explore an actual application of Development, while critically examining it in drawing from the issues covered in the course. Additional information about this assignment will be provided in class, by way of a written hand-out and an in-depth presentation covering what is expected of you and how to go about pursuing this project. In-class time will also be provided to allow you to form your groups and begin developing your presentations.

The actual presentation will count for 15% of the total assignment grade. You will be evaluated on content as well as presentation style. Though not mandatory, you are welcomed to develop a power-point presentation to accompany your oral presentation, or to bring in relevant materials. AV equipment will be available. Please ensure that you arrive a bit before the class on the day of your presentation to set up your power-point if you will be using one.

The written component will count for 15% of the total assignment grade. You will be evaluated on content, clarity and writing style. You will be expected to quote and properly reference all materials used to develop your presentation write-up, including websites, articles and scholarly sources.

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 (April 19)

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. The information will also be posted on blackboard.