Programme description for Master's Programme in Global Development, Crisis and Change (2023–2025)

Knowledge

After completing the programme, the candidate

• has advanced knowledge of global development studies and specialised insight in contemporary development challenges related to crisis and societal change
• has thorough knowledge of the theories and methods in the study of development, crises and change, gender, complex inequality and crisis communication
• can apply knowledge about complex and multifaceted societal crises to new areas within global development studies and subfields intersecting with gender studies, crisis management, political ecology and communication
• can analyse academic problems based on the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of development studies and relevant subfields

Skills

After completing the programme, the candidate

• can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
• can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in global development studies and subfields intersecting with gender studies, crisis management, political ecology and communication
• can work independently as well as in teams on practical and theoretical problems related to global development processes, multiple forms of crisis, societal change and crisis communication
• can use relevant methods for research and scholarly work in an independent manner
• can carry out an independent, limited research project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics

General competence

After completing the programme, the candidate

• can analyse relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems
• can apply their knowledge and skills in new areas to carry out advanced assignments and projects
• can communicate extensive independent work and masters the language and terminology of the multidisciplinary field of development studies
• can communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the field, both with specialists and the general public
• can cooperate in virtual teams
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes

The general requirement is completed bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration (180 ECTS). Other requirements:

1. Either: a major subject of at least 80 ECTS within the social sciences.
   
   Or: an integrated programme of at least two years duration within the social sciences.

Examples of relevant fields of study: Development Studies, Planning, Geography, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Politics and Business Administration.

1. Social science methods, at least 7,5 ECTS.

A weighted, average grade of C or better is required.

For further information, see regulations concerning admission to programmes and courses at the University of Agder, § 24 https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia.

The study programme combines knowledge of global and local processes of development, crisis and change based on development studies, geography, social anthropology and cultural studies, and communication and media studies. The objective is to develop a critical and analytical view on development and crisis in different contexts across the globe. Students will be trained in developing and analysing complex questions and how to collect, analyse and critically assess knowledge and knowledge production.

The programme provides methodological and theoretical tools for understanding crisis, change and development processes in different cultures at different geographical levels out of a social science perspective. The programme focuses on poverty reduction, planning and development strategies, cultural change, economic and ecological processes, power, identity and social practice.

The course offerings employ a range of theoretical and methodological tools, geared towards a critical understanding of development studies that brings together theory and practice.

In a foundational course in the first semester, the students explore theories of crisis as a concept and phenomenon, as well as empirical examples of contemporary and historical crises. Throughout the first year, the students continue to build on this work in courses exploring global challenges related to development, the environment, inequality, gender and power.

In the second semester, the students start preparing for the master thesis through a methodology course, followed by a field course. The field course is usually held in Sri Lanka, a country that has experienced several complex crises in recent history. The field course is mainly taught by local scholars and aims for the students to strengthen their methodological and ethical reflection about how situations of crisis can be studied.

In the third semester, the students take courses that explore disaster and crisis management and crisis communication. The students continue their work towards an independent thesis proposal through a thesis seminar course, before embarking on the master thesis. The fourth and final semester is entirely dedicated to the master thesis.

The teaching methodology builds on a team-based and problem-based learning platform with extensive use of case-based teaching and field studies. Students will be trained in conducting case studies, and to propose strategies for specific development and planning challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. They will also be trained in how to approach their own and foreign cultures through an everyday perspective.

All courses except the field course are given as e-learning courses. The pedagogy in the programme is mainly focused on learning through group work, discussions, joint exercises and individual assignments with guidance and feedback from the tutor and lecturer.

In addition to the net-based course delivery, there are two face-to-face sessions. The first face-to-face session is compulsory and takes place in Kristiansand in the beginning of the study programme in August (two weeks). The second face-to-face session will take place in a developing country in May/June (four weeks), in the second semester. There will be an alternative field course for students who cannot travel for the second face-to-face. The language of instruction is English.

Each student is expected to actively participate and contribute to a good learning environment. Students will gain experience in different ways of acquiring knowledge and how this knowledge is passed on. Examples of teaching methods are lectures, group discussions and group work, fieldwork, seminars, and supervision.

The students normally do fieldwork in a developing country in connection with their master’s thesis, but this can also be carried out in Norway he fieldwork can last from 6 weeks to 3 months.

Global development studies is an interdisciplinary, international field, which is reflected in the courses provided in the programme. Some of the strengths of the study programme are the field courses (1st year) and fieldwork (last semester, 2nd year). The field course takes place in the global south. These opportunities provide practice-oriented knowledge, and the students acquire the ability to conduct empirical studies and participate in intercultural communication, and international and intercultural teamwork. The students often carry out fieldwork for their master’s thesis in various parts of the world, supported by our international partner universities.

The master’s programme recruits international degree students and exchange students. The department is engaged in several Erasmus+ Global Mobility partnerships that may offer scholarships for master’s students undertaking fieldwork in the global south. Our partner universities include University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), Makerere University (Uganda), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Kathmandu University (Nepal), and Universidad San Simón (Bolivia).

Students may apply to go on an exchange in the third semester. The department has exchange agreements with many universities in different parts of the world offering interesting courses within the topics of the master’s programme. For more information, please contact the study program coordinator or the department academic adviser. Further information can also be found through the following web page: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange

Graduates from the master’s programme qualify for work related to:

• development processes, in both public and private sector companies
• administration and management of development projects and humanitarian work
• public administration
• NGOs (in Norway or abroad), other humanitarian actors and agencies
• work within the business community, for example CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• work related to refugees and immigrants and other "south-to-north" work
• work in diplomacy and multilateral organizations
• work related to sustainability and climate change on both local and global arenas
• research

The master’s programme can qualify for admission to the Faculty of Social Sciences' PhD programme or other relevant PhD programmes.

Students at UiA are expected to have laptops for use in learning and at examinations, cp. the Examination Regulations for the University of Agder section 12d.

For the master programme students depend on the use of a computer in all course. Canvas is the main digital communication platform between students and members of staff. The students are introduced to other digital resources throughout the programme.