ASOA15065U Issues in international development

Despite unprecedented global economic growth during the last two centuries, the vast majority of the world’s population lives in poverty without adequate money, food, water, health care, education, and/or security. Despite countless efforts to improve livelihoods throughout the world, levels of inequality across and within nations are increasing.  Between these lines of dismay, there are also strands of hope--success stories resulting from insightful domestic policies, visionary multi-lateral aid efforts, and revolutionary grassroots movements. 

MODULE AIMS

This course introduces you to the history of the study of international development, and to the current debates and issues in the field. It explore and critically evaluate the basic assumptions underlying the major competing theories and visions of international development. The course is divided into three sections.  The first section is organized around the question:  What are the causes of underdevelopment?  This section will introduce the theoretical frameworks used to explain underdevelopment throughout the world.  The second section is organized around the question:  What are the solutions to underdevelopment?  Here we will explore the practice of development since the 1950s by examining the different strategies that have been employed to alleviate underdevelopment in Latin America, South Asia, East Asia, and Africa.  Through a wide range of reading materials, movies, lectures, and in-depth discussion sections, you will be exposed to competing answers to these two questions. In the third section, we will look at global processes, including sessions on migration, gender, and security.  Using country-specific case studies, you will have the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical frameworks learned in the first two sections to assess the successes and failures of real-life cases. In addition to providing an introduction to international development, this course is designed to build your skills in analytical and critical thinking and debate.