Development Studies Special Topics B

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

intensive

A total of 120 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Special Topic: Climate Change and Development

This subject will examine the emerging social science of climate change, particularly drawing upon the disciplines of development studies, anthropology, sociology, and political science. It will focus upon the impact of climate change on human societies, particularly in terms of life ways, settlement patterns, food security, and health. It in particular examines the role of various development processes, such as production and consumption, in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, that according to climate science, lead to global warming and other climatic changes, such as droughts in some areas, heavy rainfalls and storms in other areas, rising sea levels, and the melting of the Arctic icecap and glaciers around the world. Various strategies of adaptation and mitigation will be considered, including climate regimes, reliance of renewable energy sources, technological fixes, carbon trading, carbon offsetting, and green capitalism. The subject will also examine the emerging climate movement around the world, which is forming links with various other movements, including the environmental, global justice, indigenous rights movements. The question as to the long-term viability of the existing global political economy in the face of the dangers posed by global warming will be explored. Finally, the subject will explore the possible need for an alternative world system based upon social equity, democratic processes, and environmental sustainability.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• gain advanced analytical skills related to development issues;
• become familiar with current debates in the field of development;
• expand their knowledge of development theories;
• be able to pursue research in a specialised area of study.

Written assignments totalling 5000 words, (due date: to be advised at the start of teaching).

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, attendance is compulsory at all Lecture/Seminars. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

To be advised by the lecturer

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• be able to write clear and coherent reports;
• be able to think critically about conceptual issues;
• be able to demonstrate relevance of the topic to broader development debates.