International Studies Development Course

Digital Learning International is pleased to announce a Certificate Course in International Development studies Online and Distance Learning Course, which starts 1^st of every month

Overall Course Overview:
If you are preparing to work in the field of international development, you need to acquire the knowledge, skills, and contacts to function effectively in what may be unfamiliar or challenging circumstances. This interdisciplinary training course offered by Digital Learning International places a particular focus on socio-economic development issues of concern to the developing African countries such as poverty, conflicts, governance, human rights, climate change, and global inequality.

 Specific Course Objectives
This course accords students an opportunity to examine development processes, interventions, theories, policies, and government structures in the global arena. It is expected that the student, after having completed the course, will be able to better understand a number of salient issues in the developing world. The student is expected to be able to apply concepts learned in class to the analysis of important issues in development studies.
The course is structured around some key questions including:
• What does “development” mean and does it mean different things to different peoples and cultures?
• How has the historical experience of development influenced theories of development?
• What is the role of the state in development? Has this changed over time and why?
• What role do international development organizations play in development?
• Why are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) increasingly important development actors? What are the limits on the NGO’s role in development?
• How and why does being a woman change your life-chances and roles in the
developing world?
• How and why does being an indigenous person change your life-chances and roles
in the developing world?
• Is foreign aid effective?
• What is sustainable development and how can it be achieved?

Furthermore, it is hoped that the student will reflect on ethical issues behind his or her personal commitment to development studies, and indeed, the endeavor of “development” itself. Why do we commit ourselves to practice economic development? What right do we have to impose development on the Third World? Do these “others” even want to be “developed”?  Is it even possible to practice development in a way that is respectful of local knowledge, cultures, and diverse individual aspirations?

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to International Development Studies
2. What is Development?
3. Theories of Development?
4. Gender & Development
5. The State and Development
6. Foreign Aid and Millenium Development Goals
7. Free trade & Fair Trade
8. Environment and Development
9. Sustainable Development

Exercises:

After they have read the material for each unit, students are expected to test their own Learning by completing some relevant exercises and tasks.

Assignments:

In order to demonstrate their understanding of the course content, students will be required to submit three assignments.

Course Begins on the 1st of every month for three months.
Course Level: Certificate Course
Cost: Amount €500

Language: English and French