Development Debates: International Development in Theory and Practice
While the current economic crisis has lead to an increasing number of home foreclosures, bankruptcies, and business failures in the United States, the United Nations Development Programme recently argued that the effects on the poor in developing countries are even more acute. In these areas of the world, the poor will have to fight for the protection of their jobs, homes, and working conditions. What types of policies could improve the living conditions and economic prospects of the developing world?
International development policies aimed towards economic growth and the eradication of poverty have changed through the decades. For example, in order to promote economic development, strategies now go beyond addressing macroeconomic principles to include combating corruption and facilitating good governance. Through these transformations, policy has joined with, and reacted against, academic theories of progress and change. This course will examine the interaction of development theory and practice, attempting to decipher various development debates.
We will investigate these issues through an array of texts (e.g., academic books and journals, newspaper and magazine articles, UN and NGO reports). These texts may be addressed to the general public, policy makers, fellow academics, or all three. Thus, this course will ask you to consider your position as an academic writer, the audience to whom you are writing to, and the larger context in which your writing will be presented. Through three Writing Projects, we will address the general public (via a feature article on a contemporary development problem, such as AIDs or environmental degradation), policy makers (via a policy paper), and an academic audience (via a scholarly article). These projects will be developed through several types of revision exercises, including peer review and workshop activities.
In preparation for the three Writing Projects, you will also compose short writing assignments. These shorter papers will focus on developing the skills you need to complete the Writing Projects, revise your work, and analyze various texts. Throughout the course, a heavy emphasis will be placed on discussion and participation within class. This course will help you develop skills in articulating and supporting an argument, analyzing theory and research methodology, and addressing diverse audiences.
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