Global Development: Theories, Facts and Current Issues

Course content

Our understanding of globalization and development are constantly evolving. Development theories and policies are adjusted, augmented and replaced as we gain new insights from observing the World. However, there is often more than one interpretation of observed facts. Therefore, it is important to have knowledge of both the facts and the diverse interpretations of these facts within and across the social science disciplines. 

Global Development: Theories, Facts and Current Issues integrates the concepts and perspectives of the social science disciplines to consider the major trends in modern development. The course presents the classical debates about development and globalization within the social sciences, but it also takes up current issues highlighting the significant disparity in contemporary thought. The classical debates and contemporary issues are presented and analysed as they are understood and interpreted by anthropologists, economists and other social scientists to further discussions and a deeper understanding of development and globalization across the social sciences.

Education

MSc Programme in Global Development

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Describe the leading development and globalization theories and dominant development thinking and relate this to developments in the various social science disciplines.
  • Show overview of scientific facts and controversies of the selected current development issues based on contemporary research.
  • Understand the importance of measurement and measurement problems in social science development research.

 

Skills:

  • Select relevant theories and methods for analyses of the current development issues covered in the course.
  • Select relevant theories and methods for analyzing development issues that are similar to the current issues covered in the course.
  • Communicate and discuss evidence-based knowledge and theories about current development issues on different levels to researchers, policy makers, media, organizations, and laypersons.

 

Competences:

  • Process relevant information for analysis of current and future global development issues.
  • Evaluate, validate and disseminate evidence-based knowledge and theories about current development issues.
  • Work effectively with cross-disciplinary problems within global development on an individual basis as well as in teams.

The format of the course is a combination of lectures and group discussions. Each week there will be a lecture in which core concepts, theories and case studies are presented. Every week there will be seminars with student presentations and discussions in which the students work with data and develop cases to apply and understand the concepts and theories.

Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment, 12 hours
Type of assessment details
Home assignment.
The two parts of the exam are given equal weight, one combined grade.

Individual assignment. Max 5 pages.

Formal requirements for written assignments and exams are described in Curricula’s Common Part.
Examination prerequisites

Attendance in no less than 75% of the seminar groups is a prerequisite for sitting the exam. 

Aid
All aids allowed

Use of Generative AI in Written Examinations at Global Development

At the MSc in Global Development, the use of generative AI software and Large Language Models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, is permitted in all written examinations categorized as ‘All Aids Allowed’. The use of generative AI/LLMs must, however, comply with the conditions outlined below:

 

  1. Generative AI/LLMs must never be used to generate new and original content, as written examinations are expected to reflect the student’s own knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
  2. However, students are allowed to use generative AI/LLMs as an exam aid to enhance the presentation of their own original work, for example, for text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical code.

 

Regardless of how AI/LLMs are used, students must clearly disclose their use in an appendix, which will not count towards the overall length of the examination submission. This appendix must specify how the AI/LLMs were used and for what purpose(s).

 

Please note the specific requirements for quotations marks and source referencing when using GAI as an exam aid. Failure to provide proper attribution will be considered plagiarism.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

If you fail an examination, you will be allowed two more attempts to pass the relevant course. The first re-examination will typically be scheduled immediately following the semester (February/August). The second re-examination will typically be scheduled in the following exam period.
 

If you need to sign up for the re-examination use the self service.

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed to the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes. Furthermore, the student must apply a mixed methods/​​interdisciplinary approach to obtain the top grade “12”.

 

To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 156
  • Seminar
  • 18
  • Exam
  • 12
  • English
  • 210

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
AGDK14000U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Full Degree Master
Duration

1 block

Placement
Block 2
Capacity
60
Studyboard
Study Board for Global Development
Contracting department
  • Department of Anthropology
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • John Rand   (9-757a7379397d6c796f4b706e7a79397680396f76)
Saved on the 30-05-2025

Er du BA- eller KA-studerende?

Er du bachelor- eller kandidat-studerende, så find dette kursus i kursusbasen for studerende:

Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende