The Developing World

Subject 161-135 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial each week
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours per week, 5 additional hours per week. Total of 8 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Alan Thorold

Contact

Dr Alan Thorold

athorold@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject is an introduction to the developing world and development studies. Development is concerned with change in the developing world. Increasingly an anthropology-led field of study, it nevertheless draws on perspectives from Political Science, Economics, Sociology and Geography. The focus in this introductory subject is on the relationship between rich and poor countries of the modern world, on global inequality and ways of understanding and addressing it. Imbalances in wealth, health, information and power are central themes. The historical causes of the current disparity and the emergence of a global political economy that divides the word into haves and have-nots will be investigated. The relationship between poverty, population and resources in various parts of the world will also be explored. The subject will include extensive use of case studies by anthropologists and development workers from various parts of the world, ranging from places in which Australia has a direct interest such as East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Bougainville to more distant impoverished regions and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, South America and South East Asia.

Assessment: 1 x 2 hr supervised exam (50%); 1x tutorial presentation (10%); 1x 1,500 word major essay (40%)
Prescribed Texts: Subject Reader will be provided (on-line)
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this course should:

  • have practice in speaking and writing clearly and reading carefully
  • have experience of methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills
  • have acquired awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural communication. The Developing World
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Development Studies

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