Minor Development Studies

Why do some countries and regions prosper while others are being left behind? How do migration, climate change and environmental degradation affect development and social transformation? How does ethnicity and culture affect the politics of development? What is the role of governments, NGO’s and global institutions in development and humanitarian aid in addressing global inequality?

For students from all backgrounds who are interested in big questions such as these the University Minor Development Studies offers a range of courses which approach these issues from a critical point of view.

The Minor

In today’s world, richer and poorer countries share many challenges, such as inequality and poverty, marginalisation of minorities, limited access to health services and education, ecological degradation, climate change and failing democratic and political institutions. In some countries and regions these issues develop into outright political and humanitarian crises.

The Minor programme seeks to enable you to perceive these realities from the points of view of people living in it and to provide a conceptual framework to understand and reflect on global development issues.

The Minor Development Studies is a multidisciplinary, interfaculty minor. This means that its courses are taught by different faculties, and that the programme is open to Bachelor students from all faculties. All courses are offered in English and in the first semester only (early September to end of January).

The programme includes a compulsory introductory course and a number of electives on development economics, social change, anthropology, climate change, population, environment, culture, politics, and development cooperation. One course offers students the opportunity to write a research essay in a small thematic group or participate in a thematic summerschool.

Registration and Enrollment

Registration for the minor as a whole is open from 25 May to 6 July 2024.

Please note that students must register for the minor as a whole and, in addition, for each course separately on ProgressWWW taking into account the registration dates which differ for each faculty (see the table below).

The maximum intake for the minor is 120 students. Some courses also have their own maximum capacity, so the sooner you enroll the better.

You can choose either 15 or 30 ECTS to compose your minor package out of the courses listed below. The first course, Rethinking Global Inequality: People, Power and Poverty is compulsory for all minor students. Apart from this course you are free to choose the courses which appeal to you most.

For the 30 ECTS minor we recommend you to take 15 ECTs in both semester blocks. However, you can also take 20 ECTS in 1a, and 10 ECTS in 1b, or the other way around. To be admitted to Topical Themes in Development Studies you need to have completed at least 10 ECTS in semester block 1a.

Semester 1a

Environment and Development (FSE - 5 ECTS)

This course studies the relation between environment and development in developing (and developed) countries. The focus is on a natural science approach linked to societal issues, such as poverty, population, migration, and a weak institutional and political structure. Possible strategies for environmental improvement are reviewed using case-studies from different countries and sectors. The causes of environmental problems are analyzed on the local, national and international level. The following issues will be touched upon: the depletion of natural resources; energy; climate change; land use and food; water use.

Migration and Development (FSS - 10 ECTS)

Migration is a powerful mechanism in the social and economic dynamics both of migrants themselves and of the places that are involved in migration. At the regional level, for example, we observe that human capital is an increasingly important determinant of economic development. Migration of skilled employees therefore importantly shapes regional differences in economic growth. At the other end, we see places that lose people as a result of migration and suffer the social and economic consequences. At the individual level, migration may be a means to improve your socio-economic position, for example when searching for a new job, or perhaps when running from harsh political circumstances. Migration thus plays a key-role in the lives of people as well as for the regions people live and work. Understanding process of migration is therefore key in understanding the socio-economic development of people and places. This course is dedicated to the mutual relationship between migration and the economic and social development of people and places. It offers theories to understand why people migrate and the outcomes of migration. At the same time, theories that highlight the role of human capital and migration in regional development are explored. In addition, the course aims at providing the latest research and trends about migration flows within and between countries as well as the changing economic and social framework in which migration takes place.

Rethinking Global Inequality (Arts - 5 ECTS)

In a world defined by extraordinary levels of wealth and breath-taking scientific progress, why does poverty, marginalisation, and vulnerability continue to destroy so much human potential – and why are so many countries and people being left behind? Is globalisation a force for shared prosperity or a driver of rising inequality? Are our global institutions equipped to respond to the defining challenges of the 21st century, including the eradication of poverty, the climate crisis, and pandemic preparedness? Do people in rich countries have a moral responsibility to provide development assistance to poor countries – and does aid help or hinder development? What does the world’s response to Covid-19 tell us about the state of international cooperation? Almost 80 years after the UN Charter pledged to promote social progress and protect fundamental human rights, to build a world marked by freedom from want and freedom from fear, why is the world off-track for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; and why are human rights violated with impunity in so many countries? These are among the big questions at the heart of “Rethinking Global Inequality”. The course will not offer easy answers. But it will challenge students to reflect critically on the world and the issue at the heart of development studies – namely, the human condition. Delivered through seven lectures and seminars, the course will introduce students to the ideas and academic debates that have informed international development. Adopting a cross-disciplinary approach, it will appeal to students taking majors in all faculties. The course is part of the Minor Development Studies, mandatory to all students enrolled in it. It provides students with the foundational knowledge to allow for a critical engagement with all courses offered in the minor.

Social and Institutional Change (BSS - 5 ECTS)

We live in an ever-changing world and sociology as a discipline has a long tradition to explain such changes societies have been going through such as globalization, the use of technology, and international migration. This course will elaborate and compare different theories that are used to explain causes, forms, and possible directions of social and institutional change. We will explore how various forms of institutions influence each other and the extent to which institutions have desired or undesired effects. Moreover, we will focus on the conditions under which institutions lead to coordination and cooperation. Several examples will be given based on contemporary empirical research from the field of international migration, family life, digitalization, and climate change. Special attention will also be paid to the role of the state in a market economy, and the effect of cultural norms on economic development. To this end, we will discuss classical theories (Weber, Durkheim, Smith) that have been used to explain social institutions.

Semester 1b

Aid, Trade and Beyond (Arts - 5 ECTS)

This course introduces you to the historical and political development of the international system of development cooperation as it evolved from 1945 onwards, taking Dutch policy development and execution and Dutch perspectives as a starting point. We will discuss the “aid or trade” dilemma that was (and to a point still is) central to Dutch development policy and how this translates into international relations and policies. We will also discuss how the epistemology of the concepts of development and international development relations changed over time and what this means for our current understanding. Special attention will be given to debates on the post-colony, the continent of Africa, and the role of international organizations.

Ethnicity, Culture and Politics (Arts - 5 ECTS)

The course discusses political, social and cultural aspects of globalisation and of development problems, focusing especially on societies outside the North-Atlantic world. It discusses questions such as: Which processes have led to the development of the modern state, democracy and civil society? What is the historical, social and cultural basis of nationalism and ethnicity? How can identity be understood, what is identity politics and how does it operate in contemporary conflicts in developing countries as well as in our own? This course introduces students to the ways that culture and society are understood and analysed in academic literature, through a diverse range of key texts from different social sciences. It applies innovative anthropological, political and philosophical theories of identity, nationalism and globalisation from the last few decades and discusses several case studies from the so-called “developing world”. In addition, the course places a strong emphasis on understating how to link ideas and theories to empirical cases, inviting students to engage with them by discussing societal issues related to ethnic minorities. The course is part of the Minor Development Studies but can also be followed separately. It provides students with a good background to further specialise in development related aspects of their own main field of study.

Global Development Studies (FEB - 5 ECTS)

This course is about the main determinants of socio-economic development in developing countries. Students learn about the similarities and differences in the socio-economic development of various regions in the world such as China, India, South-East Asia, Latin-America, Eastern Europe and Africa. In the course, the role of trade, technology, health, education, structural change, and foreign aid on socio-economic development is explained. The usefulness of various empirical methods to measure socio-economic development and its determinant is discussed, and theories of socio-economic development are evaluated. Throughout the course, national and international policies to generate socio-economic development are discussed and evaluated.

Population and Development (FSS - 5 ECTS)

While countries in Western-Europe are dealing with the implications of population ageing and decline for the wellbeing of its population, projections show that in the eastern part of the world India will pass China in becoming the world’s biggest population. Also, most countries have seen a reduction in fertility and mortality, as explained by the demographic transition model, but countries such as Uganda do not follow this typical pattern: they continue to have high fertility. This poses great challenges to the country’s resources and the wellbeing of its citizens. Different parts of the world are challenged by different population issues, which play a role in the countries’ development and their population wellbeing. In this course we will explore and discuss how population and development are interlinked and its implications for wellbeing. To do so, we will focus on three global contemporary population issues: sexual and reproductive health, migration and development, and human resource development. We will discuss how international and national policies are at the core of such developments, and we will pay special attention to vulnerable and marginalised groups in societies as we apply a human rights and capability perspective.

Topical Themes in Development Studies (FEB - 5 ECTS)

This course aims at providing an in-depth understanding of a particular set of problems in development, working in a small-group setting with a mentor-lecturer. The course has two variants: 1) Writing a research essay, presenting and discussing essays in small-group setting, or 2) Participating in the Development Studies Summer School in Tanzania including preparatory reading, field work and writing a research report. It features a number of theme groups (such as on economic development, democratization, education, or environmental issues) from which the student chooses one. Selected students can opt for this Intensive Programme in Tanzania, which involves covering their own costs by the student for travel and upkeep in Tanzania.

Climate Change, End Times, Sustainability (RCS - 5 ECTS)

Climate change is arguably one of the greatest challenges facing the planet in the 21st century. How to effectively respond to climate change and prepare for new social, political, economic, moral and environmental realities are urgent issues that need to be addressed across all levels of society. What are the visions and resources available across different theological, philosophical and spiritual traditions for understanding and responding to climate change? How do these different visions influence the ways in which various groups and actors interpret climate change and the solutions they offer (or don’t offer)? This course explores these and other questions through a consideration of eschatological end times visions, the promotion of technology and economy as effective solutions to the climate change challenge, alongside ethical and existential questions regarding humanity’s relationship to and responsibility for nature and future generations.

More Information

Future Career Options

Knowledge of global development issues may be required or relevant in many career options, such as government and banking, working in international organisations or a local or international development NGO, in health care or in a water or energy company.

For those who want to continue in a Master programme in Development Studies or International Humanitarian Action (NOHA), this minor will be an important first step.

Contact

This multi-faculty Minor is hosted by International Relations and International Organization (IRIO) – Faculty of Arts.

Questions about the Minor can be addressed to Caitlin Ryan,
e-mail: minor-development-studies rug.nl.