Development Studies

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrolment is by permission of the instructor. The course aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the complex phenomenon of climate change, as well as an understanding of the main interdependencies between the economic and political aspects and the local, supranational, and global dimensions. At the end of the course, students are able to: a) identify the main consequences on some areas of the economy, society, and international politics; b) describe the origins and evolution of international agreements and programs aimed at addressing the problem of climate change; c) understand the impact of climate change on different regions/areas of the world; and d) critically analyze the effects of climate change on political and economic development, with particular attention to the impact on poverty. Course contents include: an introduction to development and climate change; observed and projected impacts of climate change; climate change diplomacy: history and development of international climate change agreements; climate change mitigation; vulnerability to climate change and adaptation; climate action in the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda; and climate justice and equity: intergenerational and gender perspectives.

This course interrogates development geography as a discipline, discourse, and practice. Framed as "global development" in contemporary discourse, it traces its origins to colonialism and engages with debates in both mainstream and radical development thinking. Drawing on examples from different regions of the world, it focuses on global challenges related to migration, employment, gender, environment, digital technologies, and development finance to reflect on the changing geographies and politics of development.

This course provides a combination of critical analytical and practical skills for engaging with the challenges of development planning and policy analysis in relation to African contexts. It includes at least three dimensions: firstly, it introduces critical theoretical approaches to the very notion of doing "development," to the study of policy, and to the politics of planning; secondly, it will prepare students for analyzing different kinds of development planning and policies in their historical-political-social-economic contexts; and thirdly, it provides critically reflective yet practical skills for planning concrete development projects and undertaking critical readings of policy. Students are encouraged to draw on and share their own previous experience of working in "development" settings where relevant but such experience is not a pre-requisite for the course.

How do different actors shape, relate to, sustain or contest the shifting orthodoxies of development? This course is organized as a genealogy of development policy thinking from post-war decolonization onwards. It gives students an essential introduction to the evolution of international development as a global project from its post-World War II origins to the present day. It maps out the key moments (of innovation, crisis, and reinvention) in that evolution and the shifts in thinking that underpin changes in global development agendas/policy.

This advanced course in development economics provides a thorough exposition of concepts, policy issues, and controversies in the process of economic development. The course covers leading issues in development economics such as the role of trade and institutions in industrialization and long-run development as well as cutting-edge empirical research on various topics such as human capital, conflict, corruption, foreign aid, gender, and the environment.

This is an introductory course on Global Governance and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). It discusses current international issues such as political and economic development, the environment, and human rights. 

This course provides a foundation for international development and cooperation. It covers the histories and theories of international development and cooperation; the concepts and evolution of development and its variants, including sustainable development, economic development, human development and capabilities, and post-development; the emergence and functioning of international organizations involved in coordinating global cooperation; and a selection of compelling contemporary issues.

The course introduces development economics as well as applied problems in the field of development, and development strategies. It covers both conventional theory of development and economic growth and alternative strategies for sustainable development. Topics covered include resource mobilization, agricultural and industrial development, globalization, sustainable development and institutions, and the political economy of development. The discussion is both theoretical and applied with extensive use made of country and regional case studies. The course focuses on developmental challenges confronting South Africa and the rest of Africa. Assessment: coursework (50%) and a final exam (50%).

Gain insight into a variety of approaches to ensuring that children grow up healthy and with opportunities to become contributing members of society. The historical roots, current issues, and future challenges related to children’s well-being are addressed in this course by covering a broad spectrum of related topics, including family life, the influence of the turbulent 20th century on youth and education, regional and national differences in educational systems, preventive youth health care, public policy on social services and divorce support, parental leave, and daycare provision. Students also learn about alternative educational approaches, such as those developed by Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner, Célestin Freinet, and A. S. Neill. The course includes guest speakers and incorporates guest talks and site visits to relevant museums/exhibitions.