Core Courses

AP/SOSC 1430 9.0 / ESL 1439 9.0 Introduction to International Development Studies

Course Director: M. Gonzalez
Contact: 133 Founders (416-736-2100 ext. 44087, migon@yorku.ca)

This foundation course introduces students to the field of International Development Studies. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach to study the theory and practice of development, and draws from the works of historians, sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists, and economists to introduce relevant concepts and theories of development.

The course examines various approaches to development and explores their theoretical and cultural assumptions, and their concrete application in diverse historical and social contexts. The course helps students understand the processes that created underdevelopment, the forces that contribute to the persistence of this condition, and the struggles for equitable and sustainable development in the current global system. As part of the Foundations Program, this course has been especially designed to help students develop specific academic skills in the areas of critical thinking, reading and writing, and to challenge them to apply these skills to the field of international development studies.

AP/SOSC 2800 6.0 Development: Comparative and Historical Perspective

Course Director: N. Dao
Contact: N828 Ross (ngadao@yorku.ca)

This course offers a critical overview of the state of development studies for students who have some background in International Development. Its primary objective is to familiarize students with the present and past development theories, discourses/perspectives and issues. Besides, it makes an effort to analyze the role of key international organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, in constructing the 'global framework for development'.

In reviewing a range of theories of and approaches to development - from modernization, and neo-Marxist theories of dependency to neo-liberal, post-modern, post-Marxist and feminist perspectives, the course provides a forum for students to examine, discuss, and debate the current changes in development studies and to apply various theories and approaches to the analysis of contemporary development issues. Students will have the opportunity to explore how the focus of development shifted from 'economic growth' to the improvement in the human conditions.

AP/SOSC 3800 6.0 A & B Development Studies Research Methods

Course Directors: M. Gonzalez & J. Mensah
Contact: 133 Founders (416-736-2100 ext. 44087, migon@yorku.ca)/

317 York Lanes (416-736-2100 ext. 66344, jmensah@yorku.ca)

This course introduces class-members to the principle research methods and techniques used primarily in International Development. Since development research and policy agendas are undergoing considerable evolution and change, it focuses on the more practical issues and problems of researching development policies, programs, and projects.

In addition to introducing research methods commonly used in the Social Sciences, this course also aims to aid students in learning about applied research methods and evaluation practices, both qualitative and quantitative, especially the tools/frameworks that are promoted by the international donor community.

In addition to introducing research methods commonly used in the Social Sciences, this course aims to aid students in learning about applied research methods and evaluation practices, both qualitative and quantitative, especially the practices that are promoted by the international donor community.

Prerequisite: AP/SOSC 2800 6.0

AP/SOSC 4600 6.0 A & B Advanced Seminar in Development Studies: From Theory to Practice

Course Directors : U. Idemudia & S.Srinivasan
Contact: 307 Founders (416-736-2100 ext. 33155, idemudia@yorku.ca) /

N831 Ross (416-736- 2100 ext. 22739, sharada@yorku.ca)

The aim of this seminar is to give students some specialized knowledge about the present discourses/perspectives in development, some contemporary development issues/challenges, and the potential of various agents in addressing these issues/challenges.

The focus of the course is on globalization that most directly sets the current context of international development. In addition to identifying the trends in the contemporary phase of global economic restructuring, this course provides informative and useful insights into the construction of a 'homogeneous world' through cultural and political globalizations. It also explores various debates on globalization and takes a critical look at the differential impacts of globalization on countries and communities in the world.

One of the primary objectives of this course is to present a comparative discussion of differences and commonalities among mainstream, critical, post-modern, and post-structuralist analyses of development which have appeared over the last two decades. It opens up the possibility for new ways of thinking about the problems of and prospects for development in the twenty-first century. This course also examines the contemporary agenda of international development within the changing structures of the global political economy.

Prerequisite: AS/SOSC 2800 6.0 and AS/SOSC 3800 6.0.

Please Note:

STUDENTS MUST SATISFY BOTH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IDS PROGRAM AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
COURSES CANNOT BE DOUBLE-COUNTED. EVEN THOUGH A COURSE MAY FULFILL MORE THAN ONE REQUIREMENT THE ASSOCIATED CREDITS CANNOT BE COUNTED TWICE;
OTHER COURSES MAY BE SUBSTITUTED WITH THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR (PRIOR TO ENROLMENT);
FOR COURSES WITH AN AMPERSAND (&) IDS STUDENTS CAN BE GIVEN DIFFERENT ASSIGNMENTS FROM THE OTHER STUDENTS IN THE COURSE UPON REQUEST. THESE CAN BE MADE MORE RELEVANT TO THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THE STUDENT. STUDENTS DESIRING THIS ACCOMODATION SHOULD INFORM THE COURSE DIRECTOR WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES.