University of Ghana
Department of Political Science
Welcome to POLI 211 – Introduction to
Development Studies
1st Semester, 2013/2014
Lecturers: Dr. Maame A.A. Gyekye-Jandoh; Dr. Bossman
E. Asare
Office: Room 6 and Room 12, Political Science Dept.
Office hours: By appointment
e-mail: mgyekyej@yahoo.com;
bossasare@gmail.com
Course Description and Objective:
Introduction to Development
Studies introduces students to the varied concepts and theories of development
through an intensely interactive and discussion-driven format. Each session
will combine lectures and discussion to ensure a thorough understanding of the
readings. Considerable emphasis is thus placed on the student’s ability to, and
interest in, participating in discussion and respectful debate.
The main objective of the
course is to familiarize students with the meaning and scope of development,
the development debate and analyses of the major theories of development, as
well as contemporary issues concerning rural development, foreign aid,
structural adjustment, poverty reduction strategies, and the role of the state,
market, and civil society in development . At the end of the course, students
are expected to be conversant with a wide array of concepts such as social,
economic, and sustainable development, poverty reduction, and development
planning, among others. In addition, students should be able to better
appreciate the dynamics involved in development and critically argue, analyze,
and write about development in both global and national contexts.
Course Expectations:
- Complete all reading assignments by their due dates
- Participate in class discussions
- Come to class on a regular basis and take final exam
- Ask questions when you are unsure what the assignment is
- Write complete, clear, concise and well-organized prose on exams
Grading: One Interim Assessment (IA) 30%, and One
Final Exam 70% of total grade (to make 100%)
Final Exam Format:
Section A Multiple Choice
Questions (20 points)
Section B Short Answer
Questions (50 points)
Section C An Essay (30
points)
There will be two exams in POLI 211. The interim
assessment (IA) will be given in the middle of the semester. The format of
this will be either essay questions or short answer questions on the material
taught and discussed up to that point. This will constitute 30% of the total
grade for the course. The final exam
will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions, and will
constitute 70% of the total grade for the course. The exam will cover class and
assigned readings and class discussions. A short review will be held in the
class period prior to the date of the final exam.
Note: Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. (See Student
Handbook for penalties).
Success in POLI 211 will depend on timely preparation for reading and studying assignments,
preparation for exams and attendance and participation in class discussion. You
will be expected to spend about 8-10 hours on the reading assignments per week.
An Active Learning Approach will be used in class to cover the course material.
This is an interactive mode of learning,
which requires student interaction or
participation in class discussion. In order for this method to be
effective, it is necessary to prepare
and study the lesson before coming to class. In order for an effective
learning atmosphere, please do not come
late to class.
Course Schedule and Readings:
Weeks 1 & 2 – Course Introduction; Understanding
Development: Meanings, Scope and Problems
Coralie Bryant and Louise
White. 1982. “Redefining Development.” In Managing
Development in the Third World.
Boulder, CO:
Westview.
Denis Goulet. 1992.
“Development: Creator and Destroyer of Values.” World
Development, Vol. 20, No. 3, p. 467-475.
Michael P. Todaro and Stephen
C. Smith. 2012. "What Do We Mean by Development?" in Economic
Development. (11th edition). p. 14-25. England: Pearson Education Limited.
Weeks 3 & 4 & 5 – Theories of Development
Andre Gunder Frank. 1966.
“The Development of Underdevelopment.” In Development
Studies: A Reader by Stuart Corbridge.
Ed. 1995. p. 27-37. London: Arnold
Andrew Webster. 1984.
Theories of Underdevelopment.” In Introduction
to the
Sociology of Development. p.
81-93.
Andrew Webster. 1984.
“Modernization Theory.” In Introduction
to the Sociology of
Development. London: Macmillan Publishers.
Paul Streeten and Shahid
Burki. “Basic Needs: Some Issues.” World
Development.
p. 411-420.
Weeks 6 & 7 – Rural Development
Michael Todaro and Stephen
Smith. 2012. “Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development.” In Economic Development. p. 416-457. England: Pearson
Education Limited.
Recommended: Read articles on
agriculture and development in the major newspapers
Weeks 8 & 9 & 10– Foreign Aid,
Structural Adjustment and Poverty Reduction Strategies in the Quest for
Development
Peter Bauer. 1991. “Foreign
Aid: Central Component of World Development?” In
Development Studies: A Reader by Stuart Corbridge. Ed. 1995. p.
359-368.
Michael Todaro and Stephen
Smith. 2012. "Foreign Finance, Investment, and Aid: Controversies and Opportunities."
in Economic Development. p. 684-708. England: Pearson Education Limited.
Recommended:
Paul Streeten. 1987.
“Structural Adjustment: A Survey of the Issues and Options.” In
Development Studies: A Reader by Stuart Corbridge. Ed. 1995.
p.368-382.
Weeks 11 & 12 – The Role of the State, Market,
and Civil Society in Development
Michael Todaro and Stephen
Smith. 2012. “Development Policymaking and the Roles of Market, State,
and Civil Society.” In Economic Development.
p. 511-516;524-533. England: Pearson Education Limited.
Recommended:
Mark Turner and David Hulme.
1997. “Development and Its Administration.” In
Governance, Administration and Development. New York, NY:
Palgrave.
Week 13 – Revision
Case Study - African Success
Story at Risk: Botswana (Michael Todaro and Stephen Smith.
2012. Economic Development. p.
718-721).
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