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Development Studies Special Topics B (DEVT90005)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
March
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Development Studies Special Topic B: Global Governance and International Development

This course provides students with an analytical base for understanding the ways in which processes of global governance have and do frame the idea of ‘international development’ and shape the resources, strategies, policies and institutions that promote economic, social and political change in ‘developing countries’. While there is much doom and gloom about the state of the world, life has been getting better (often at an accelerated rate) for most of humanity in recent times. Extreme poverty has reduced dramatically, incomes and life expectancy have been rising and child and maternal mortality have declined. But rising insecurity, inequality and unsustainability challenge these advances in the human condition.

Through the application of Robert Cox’s critical political economic approach to examining historical structures (material capabilities, ideas and institutions) we explore the dominant narratives of ‘how’ international development is to be achieved – by international agencies, national governments and other actors. This covers the 1945 to 1990 period (modernization & growth, rural development and structural adjustment) and more recent times (good governance, poverty reduction and now sustainable development).

Particular attention is paid to the roles and motives of: (i) multilateral institutions such as the UN, World Bank and IMF (ii) OECD-DAC countries/donors and the ways in which they pursue dynamic mixes of self-interest and moral mission, (iii) the BRICs/BRICS and especially China and India, and (iv) the role of national governments.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this subject, students should:



  • be familiar with the policy trends and debates of key development actors;
  • be familiar with contemporary critiques of mainstream development policy and take positions in these debates;
  • be able to critically reflect on policy as an empirical phenomenon.

Generic skills

The subject is intended to strengthen the following skills:

  • unravelling development policies, place them in historical context and critically reflect on them;
  • construct coherent arguments about development policy;
  • straddle the divide between academic and policy, treat the knowledge, language and workings of both realms at their own merit, and identify tensions and connections between them.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • A written assignment (2000 words) due during the assessment period
  • A final essay (3000 words) due during the assessment period
  • Hurdle requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • March
    Principal coordinatorRachael Diprose
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours24 hours total: This subject will be delivered intensively from 9:00am - 5:00pm, with seminars over 3 consecutive days.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 9 March 2018 to 11 March 2018
    Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018
    Census date30 March 2018
    Last date to withdraw without fail27 April 2018
    Assessment period ends25 May 2018

    March contact information

    rachael.diprose@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

Last updated: 3 November 2022