Development theories

 

After the course:

1. Upon completion of the course, students should have an overview of the major theoretical approaches in development studies at present and in the last several decades, and be able to identify these in academic and professional texts.
2. Students should be able to indicate the relevance and validity of the respective development theories in different historical and geographical contexts.
3. In this way, students should have acquired the instruments for understanding and analysing issues of equitable and sustainable human development within their contexts, and in doing so be able to bridge the gap between theoretical reflections and their applications to real-world situations.
4. Finally, the course should inspire students to critically examine the assumptions underlying theories and representations of development issues, and find new roads or viable alternatives in conceptualizing issues of equitable and sustainable development.

This module critically examines the major approaches and theories that dominate thinking about ‘development’ at present, and in the past several decades. The course adopts a multidisciplinary approach, discussing contributions by geographers as well as those by other development-oriented scholars. In line with the evolution of development thinking, the focus will shift from an emphasis on economic issues to a broader one encompassing such dimensions as sustainability, politics, equity and culture. Similarly, we follow the evolution from more conventional or traditional approaches – which nevertheless continue to influence development policy and practice – to more recent, critical and alternative approaches, including those rejecting or turning upside down the entire idea of ‘development’. Students are encouraged to develop their own thinking and reflection in relation to these approaches in critical ways, and link them to a variety of development practices, policies as well as their own positionalities.

In the course we review both the ‘grand narratives’ or overall approaches to development and more meso-level theories and concepts. By linking these theories and concepts to specific development challenges that are dealt with in the parallel course Development Themes (i.e. with lecturers providing parallel lectures in both courses), we emphasize the relevance and concrete current application of these theories – including for students’ own research projects – and deepen students’ learning.