Course Title: Global Development

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Global Development

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Prior to Semester 1 2022 this course was titled 'Theories of Development'


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2074

City Campus

Postgraduate

330H Social Science & Planning

Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006

HUSO2074

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008

HUSO2074

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

HUSO2074

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

Sem 2 2011

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Yaso Nadarajah

Course Coordinator Phone: +(61 3) 9925 3542

Course Coordinator Email: yaso.nadarajah@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.05.28

Course Coordinator Availability: email for appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course will provide you with an overview of key theoretical perspectives and debates which underpin various approaches to both local and global development. This will also include exploring alternative understandings of development. 

Throughout this course you will analyse the work of some of the key thinkers, theories and policies that have shaped development over the past 60 years. Emphasis is also placed on how the term ‘development’ has evolved as a key area of policy associated with global institutions of influence over questions of sustainable development.  

You will investigate the values underpinning development as a set of economic, political, social and cultural objectives, and consider contemporary critiques of the dominant ideas and practices in the development field, including new debates arising from decoloniality. In addition, the ‘language of development’ as an accepted set of arguments and statements of fact is considered in relation to the development process itself.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

If you are enrolled in MC283, in this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on the immediate effects and broader consequences of global sustainability challenges, including the interplay of ecological, economic, political, social, and cultural factors
  • Clearly communicate complex and technical analysis and proposals related to global challenges to diverse audiences and stakeholders
  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on diverse knowledge, practices, and lived experiences to extend and challenge the discipline and the field. 

If you are enrolled in MC211 Master of International Development, in this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Critically reflect on socio-cultural diversity and values, world systems and the benefits of local and global development practices for communities engaged in development processes 
  • Determine and apply the specialist knowledge and technical skills required to creatively solve problems, demonstrating expert judgment and ethical responsibility in your professional practice in international development 
  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on personal awareness and lived experience, theories and practices of development, both local and international, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice in the discipline 
  • Critically reflect on the causes and impacts of poverty in global contexts and to evaluate the theories and practice of development institutions 
     


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Analyse and review key debates about development theory 
  2. Analyse the implications of current development debates relating to major social, political and economic transformations in developing countries 
  3. Critically evaluate the various meanings of development and analyse how these meanings are irrevocably linked with place, land, culture and language 
  4. Relate theoretical perspectives and debates to practice and policy issues and dilemmas. 
  5. Argue ways in which diverse theoretical perspectives lead to alternative and competing possibilities for analysis and action
       


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will provide opportunities for you to explore, critique and form ideas. Activities will include small group discussion, reviewing online materials including audio/visual content, and interactive lectures. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. Active and constructive participation in group discussions is expected in addition to weekly reading and careful planning of assessment tasks. Assessment tasks are designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the key themes and debates.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

You will have access to core readings, a list of recommended readings, a substantive bibliography for broader readings on selected topics, as well as links and postings of relevant material. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Your ability to clearly explain key concepts will be assessed by written work and oral activities 

Assessment Tasks  

Assessment Task 1: Essay, 1000 Words, 30% CLO1, CLO2 and CLO4 

Assessment Task 2: Presentation, 20%, CLO4 and CLO5 

Assessment Task 3 Report/Case Study Analysis, 2000 words-equivalent, 30% CLO1, CLO2 and CLO3 

Assessment Task 4: Discussion/Participation 20% CL01, CL02 and CL03  

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.  

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.