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International Development Studies BA Specialized Honours

Honours Degree Overview: Four Years

International Development Studies is home to critically engaged advocates on the international stage. Our community proudly examines global perspectives on how we live our lives, make a difference in our communities, and identify with our peers.

The International Development Studies program supports students in developing an informed appreciation of their regions of study, including the history behind present-day policies and media headlines. Students will learn to analyze the impact of colonialism on the Global South, recognize inequalities in wealth and power between nations, and appreciate the various political-institutional, cultural, socio-economic and environmental factors that affect international development. With our outstanding faculty and department resources, students will gain a thorough grounding in the field and grow comfortable conversing in routine institutional discussions with development professionals.

Through our partnership with the Lassonde School of Engineering, engineers can choose a dual Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Arts degree – the only dual degree program of its kind in Canada.

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Your first year will introduce you to the university environment, provide you with your mandatory course in International Development Studies, offer you general education course choices, and expose you to the general topics of the Program.

Core Course:

AP/SOSC 1430 9.00 Introduction to International Development Studies

AP/SOSC 1439 9.00 Introduction to International Development Studies (ESL)

General Education Requirements:

9.0 credit from Humanities or Social Science
6.0 credit from Humanities or Social Science (whichever is not taken in 1)
6.0 credit from Natural Science

In your second year, you will deepen your critical engagement with key topics in the field of International Development Studies.

Core Course:

AP/SOSC 2800 6.00 Development in Comparative and Historical Perspective

Major Credit - 6 Credits chosen from the following:

AP/SOSC 2480 6.00 Introduction to African Studies
AP/SOSC 2435 6.00 Introduction to South Asian Studies
AP/SOSC 2460 6.00 Contemporary Latin America
AP/HUMA 1400 6.00 Culture and Society in East Asia
AP/HUMA 2310 6.00 The Caribbean and Canada: Culture, Identity and Diaspora

Area Requirement:

Select your three areas of concentration from:

Area 1: Culture

Area 2: Diasporas and Migration

Area 3: Environment

Area 4: Gender

Area 5: Political Economy

Area 6: Politics, Governance and Policy

Complete 6 credits from your First chosen area of concentration.

To find out which courses count for the respective areas of concentration, please refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Credits Outside the Major

Additional Options:

LA&PS Co-op

Study Abroad

In the third year, you will explore the International Development Studies specialized fields while focusing on your particular interests.

Core Course:

AP/SOSC 3800 6.00 Development Studies and Research methods

Area Requirement:

Complete 6 credits from your Second chosen area of concentration.

Complete 6 credits from your Third chosen area of concentration.

Suggested courses:

AP/SOSC 3480 6.00 Culture, Democracy and Development in Africa

AP/SOSC 3543 6.00 Gender and Development

AP/SOSC 3544 3.00 Deconstructing Human Trafficking

AP/SOSC 3801 6.00 Professional Skills for International Development

AP/SOSC 3802 3.00 Policy Making in Context: Development and Sustainability

To find out which courses count for the respective areas of concentration, please refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Credits Outside the Major

Additional Options:

LA&PS Co-op

Study Abroad

In the fourth year, you will enroll in small classes while gaining hands-on experiences.

Core Course:

AP/SOSC 4600 6.00 Advanced Seminar in International Development Studies

Area Requirement:

Complete 12 credits at 4000-level in two of your three chosen areas of concentration.

Suggested course:

AP/SOSC 4450 3.00 Aspects of Modern Latin American and Caribbean Studies: Culture and Politics

AP/SOSC 4510 6.00 African Popular Culture

AP/SOSC 4605 6.00 International Development Placement Course

AP/SOSC 4608 3.00 Civil Society and Development

To find out which courses count for the respective areas of concentration, please refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Credits Outside the Major

Beyond choosing to study International Development Studies, you’ve got the option to customize how you study. You can choose the length and depth of specialization within your degree — whether it’s a three-year bachelor’s or more intensive four-year honours bachelor’s program. If you’re weighing two subjects of interest but can’t make a decision, you’re able to declare a major, which would be your primary area of study, as well as a minor, or secondary subject. Or give them equal billing and go for a double major.

Students may pursue a Bachelor's (BA), Honours BA, Honours Major/Minor BA, Honours Double Major BA, Specialized Honours BA, Honours Minor BA, or a Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary BA in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. For specific program requirements, please consult the relevant Programs of Study section. Please also book an advising appointment to review your progress through your chosen program option.

Whatever path you envision, you’ll have choices to accommodate you along the way.