QUTVVIET Development Studies 1 Course description

The study plan was approved by the Dean 24.06.2009. Update approved by the Vice-Dean 02.09.2013. Administrative update 13.01.2023.

Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) offers a one semester full-time course (30 ECTS credits) in development studies in Hoi An on the east coast of Vietnam. The course, Development Studies 1 , starts each semester in August and January respectively. The course is a joint venture between OsloMet and Kulturstudier (Culture Studies), an independent Oslo-based organisation that offers international academic courses in the fields of culture and human development at study centres in Vietnam, India, Ghana, Argentina and Nicaragua.

OsloMet offers interdisciplinary courses in development issues and North-South relations, leading to a Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits in Development Studies. Development Studies 1 is equivalent to the first half year of this Bachelor programme.

Development Studies 1 is taught through an interdisciplinary social science/humanistic approach incorporating elements of history, geography, social anthropology, political science, economics and sociology. The course activities (lectures, seminars, assignments, examination) as well as the literature are all in English. The first part of the course is web-based. After this, the students leave for Hoi An, Vietnam, to attend the regular course based on classroom teaching. During the 10 weeks in Vietnam there are normally lectures, seminars and group work on all weekdays. Weekends are free.

No required prerequisite knowledge.

The overall objective for the course Development Studies 1 is to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of global development with a focus on North-South relations and the Southeast Asian region. This holistic approach should provide a base for problem-based discussions, critical analysis and reflection.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should master the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• knows key theories and concepts regarding development, sustainable development and globalisation
• knows central themes regarding economy, politics and social relations in poor countries, especially in Southeast Asia and Vietnam
• has basic knowledge of qualitative research methodology within development studies

Skills

The student

• can apply a cross-disciplinary perspective to theoretical and practical questions of development
• can plan and implement basic data collection on issues of development

General competence

The student

• can give a written presentation of a theme based on social science theory and methodology
• can take part in project-oriented group work with data collection

As part of the course, students complete one compulsory assignment, one group examination and one home examination. The Study Guide of the course will give details about deadlines defined by OsloMet.

The following course work requirement must be met before the examination may be sat:

• Introductory assignment . This is a paper of approx. 1800 words (+/- 10%) / approx. 4-5 pages, where students are asked to discuss the concepts of development, poverty and sustainable development. At this stage, all communication between student and teachers is based on e-mail. The paper is to be submitted through e-mail before students go to Vietnam. It will be assessed within the following week and is evaluated as Accepted/Not accepted.

Course work requirements must be met within fixed deadlines. Course work requirements must be met also by students with valid absence from classes documented by medical certificate. Students, who, due to illness or other valid and documented reasons, do not meet the course work requirements within the fixed deadlines, may be given a new deadline. A new deadline for meeting the course work requirements is in each individual case given by the teacher of the course in question.

Students who meet the course work requirements within the fixed deadline, but get the evaluation Not Accepted, are entitled to two new attempts to fulfil the course work requirements. A new deadline for meeting the course work requirements is in each individual case given by the teacher of the course in question.

Emne 2 ligg i vårsemesteret og har avsluttande mappeeksamen før sommaren. Didaktisk arbeid med litteratur har ein sentral plass saman med nynorskdidaktikk samt vidareutvikling av elevane sine lese-, skrive- og munnlege ferdigheiter. Studentane har arbeidskrav som føreset utprøving av litteraturdidaktikk i eigne grunnskuleklassar.

In line with the course topic, the course is totally internet based, and the work methods are highly collaborative. The course may be taught in English if English speaking students attend. Active participation from all students is a necessity. The course requirements will ensure that the student acquires sufficient practical skills in using tools for collaboration as well as theoretical knowledge. It will also give the students a continuous workload during the semester.

See general rules in the programme plan. The course requirements must be approved before students are eligible for examination.

The course work requirements is using different technology and modes of collaboration. The course requirements must be approved before students are eligible for examination.

1. Written paper in group, 2 - 4 students, 1000 words +/- 10 %, covering the subtheme concepts of collaboration

2. Written paper in group, 2 - 4 students, 1000 words +/- 10 %, covering the subtheme, modes of collaboration

3. Written paper in group, 2 - 4 students, 1000 words +/- 10 %, covering the subtheme, DCL (Distributed Collaborative Learning)

4. Written paper in group, 2 - 4 students, 1000 words +/- 10 %, covering the subtheme problem-based learning for collaboration

The purpose of the course work requirement is for the students to obtain experience in collaborative learning supported by technology, and thereby obtain an understanding of theoretical concepts and themes of the course.

Individual report, 3000 words +/- 10 %.

The students must write an individual report on their performance of the activities carried out during the semester. This report, containing description and analysis of experiences, based on the course literature, will be the basis of the final assessment.

New or postponed exam will be organised in the same way as the ordinary exam. Students who fail the exam may submit a revised report.