Global Development Studies, 1-year Programme

The study programme aims to create a basic understanding of conditions that lead to differences in social and economic development in various countries and regions, particularly between and within the so-called Global South. Its goal is to provide knowledge of global relations and development processes from an interdisciplinary perspective, mainly across the social sciences.

The study programme focuses on actors and understandings of development, globalisation and cultural complexity (see the course structure diagramme). This study programme provides the students with a theoretical social science background and field experiences related to questions of development, culture, international relations, development cooperation, and change processes in a global context.

Knowledge

On successful completion of the programme, the student should be able to:

• explain different theoretical approaches and practical strategies for sustainable development and discussthese in given contexts
• identify and discuss key issues in global development, such as poverty; economic and social inequality; global political and economic structures and relations; economic, social and environmental sustainability; patterns of migration and social mobility; socio-cultural, political and environmental processes of change
• identify social and economic inequalities and the factors that create and maintain such differences across scales
• recognise how culture influence understandings and practices of development and international relations, at an individual and structural level
• discuss the ways in which power relations shape actors and systems in global, national and local development
• recognise and analyse the effects of internal and external factors on development processes in different countries, such as different economies and governance systems, cultural diversities, environmental conditions and resource challenges

Skills
On successful completion of the programme, the student should be able to:

• carry out field exercises and discuss interlinkages between practice and theoretical knowledge
• apply theoretical knowledge in discussions of casestudies
• utilise insights in the impacts of economic, political, social and cultural conditions in planning for development and change
• apply insights into ethical and methodological issues central to the global development field in concrete situations
• make use of interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives

General competence
On successful completion of the programme, the student should be able to:

• take part in current debates in global development based on up-dated knowledge and different theoretical perspectives
• solve tasks both individually and in group
• communicate across cultural contexts and be conscious of how culture influences communication and knowledge production
• be aware ofethical principles for research and development work and reflect critically on his/her situatedness
• engage in cross-cultural communication and teamwork with respect and commitment
• contribute to create knowledge about and dialogue of the content and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals

The study programme in Global development studies recruits international students and the language of instruction is English.

The bachelor's degree in Global development studies is based on a long history of international collaboration with relevant partner universities and research communities in the Global South. Development studies are an interdisciplinary, international field, which is reflected in the courses provided in the programme. Some of the strengths of the bachelor’s programme are the field courses (1st year). These provide practice-close knowledge, and the students experience field work exercises and participate in intercultural communication and teamwork.

The one-month field course, UT-109, is offered in the second semester. In recent years, the fielcourses have been taking place in Sri Lanka and Uganda. From 2021 a fieldcourse will also be run in Norway. Bolivia and Tanzania have also been locations for fieldcourses and might be again in the future.

Students participating in the four-week field course abroad, UT-109, will need to cover food, accomodation, and travel during the field course (normally between 12 000 -15 000 kr) and the air ticket. Students who are eligible for support in Lånekassen (the State Educational Loan Fund in Norway) can apply for support to cover travel expenses.

For students who are not able to participate in the field course abroad, there will be a field course taking place in Norway. Accomodation and travel during the field course in Norway will be covered. However, students must cover their own food expenses. More information will be given in Canvas in the first semester.