Development Studies

This course mainly focuses on the China's development in terms of economy, politics and society after 1987's revolution. Lecture topics include the structure of Chinese Communists Party; organization of Chinese government; rural reforms in China; primary-level democracy in China; SOE reform; relationship between Mainland China and Taiwan; development of private economy; industrial upgrading and factory of the world; land finance and investment by the local government; and establishment of social security system. Assessment: participation in class (10%), midterm report (20%), midterm exam(30%) and final exam (40%).

This course explores how the current global framework of sustainable development, particularly within the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian Aggression in Ukraine as well as other conflicts in the world, play on the implementation of SDGs. It also studies how sustainable development has evolved in the global development discussion. The course aims to instruct students on various aspects of sustainable development and key global environmental issues, including how to work towards a more sustainable society.

This course provides a study of various economic theories dealing with issues related to international cooperation and development and their relationship to national growth. In particular, we recognize the need for international cooperation by examining the impact of agricultural development on the national economies of developing countries. Furthermore, by learning about the relationship between agriculture and issues such as inequality and poverty, population and health, the course provides fundamental knowledge on a variety of international issues such as growth processes in developing countries, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. Lastly, as part of the case study, students are expected to learn in detail about economic growth through agricultural cooperation and effect analysis of official development assistance (ODA).

This course critiques the popular narrative of "growth" and "development" globally. It reviews various criticisms of global growth with an emphasis on the most radical, considering whether infinite growth is desirable, in order to better understand the ecological, social, and political issues at stake.

This course explores the multitude of ways in which human development and the environment are connected. It provides an understanding of key theoretical, conceptual, and practical debates and issues within the agriculture/environment-development field and allows students to practice interdisciplinarity through active participation in discussions and group work. The course explores the intersections of economic growth, social development, and environmental conservation. It considers important development questions such as the reason for hunger and famine, how globalization affects access to resources and social dynamics, and how gender inequality intersects with development. Sessions are devoted to epistemological reflections for each of these themes. This course places particular focus on countries in the Global South.