| Code | Faculty |
|---|---|
| 01243017 | Faculty of Humanities |
| Credits | Duration |
|---|---|
| Duration of study: 1 year | Total credits: 120 |
| Prof V Thebe [email protected] | +27 (0)124203111 |
| Prof I Pikirayi [email protected] | +27 (0)124204661 |
The programme offers an advanced cross-disciplinary study of development processes – history of the field of study, epistemological questions of theory, research methods, and the empirical contemporary world of development practice. While the focus is on global processes, emphasis is placed on local and regional examples and on practical applications to local and regional situations. The programme is suited for students from the social, agricultural and environmental sciences that have an interest in understanding development and in bringing change to their societies. It is also relevant for people working in government, the nongovernmental sector, and others seeking to improve their understanding of the changing world.
Minimum credits: 120
Module content:
A research report of approximately 30 pages (10 000 words) that is based on original research on an approved topic within the study field of community development.
Module content:
Changing attitudes towards change and social inequality at different times and places. The concept "development" in the natural sciences and humanities. Key concepts in development theory: capitalism, socialism, colonialism, neocolonialism. Changing theories of development: linear states theory, neo-classical structural change model, modernisation theory, dependency theory and postmodernist challenges. Contemporary debates regarding the utilisation of scientific knowledge: predicting and inducing change, ethical considerations and multidisciplinary cooperation in development. Relationship between theory and practice and between community development and related fields of specialisation.
Module content:
This module investigates methodological approaches to the practice of development. It focuses on methods and approaches most utilised by development researchers and practitioners in the field. The module aims to equip learners with applied and practical knowledge, as well as the skills to critically examine the approaches, methods, and techniques within the broader scholarly literature. Thus, the module will cover practical instruction in methodologies and approaches including participatory rural appraisal, monitoring and evaluation, aspects of qualitative and quantitative approaches, case study as well as primary and secondary data collection and analysis techniques.
Module content:
The module provides a critical analysis of contemporary development themes currently dominating development debates and the world of development practice. Particular attention is given to development strategies and practices in the post-development theory impasse era, as well as development challenges and their manifestation in the 21st century. The module will take students through a journey in post-1980s/1990s development, and explores in depth the future prospect of development. Topical themes include grassroots development, gender and development, democracy and governance, food security, climate change and local adaptation, migration and development, disaster and humanitarian emergencies. It will also cover initiatives like the MDGs and the SDGs to demonstrate changing emphasis in development practice.
Module content:
The module adopts an applied approach. It takes learners through a journey in the world of development practice since the 1950s, and provides a critical analysis of the different ideological positions influencing post-WW II development. With a bias towards grandiose schemes that dominated the world of development practice in the postcolonial era, it draws the attention of the student to the role of a range of organisations and institutions involved in developing country development process, and the challenges associated with the development culture of the time. The module will look at classic case studies like the Ujamaa, development projects in Lesotho, colonial betterment schemes, and contemporary cases including indigenisation policies, policies promoting migration, gender mainstreaming, land and tenure reforms, etc.
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