UTVB2100 Development and Migration - Intermediate Level Course description

Final assessment will be based on an individual written assignment for five days based on a given topic. The writing of the assignment must be based on the course literature. The paper should be of 3200 words (+/-10 %) / approx. 8 pages.

In case of failed exam/legal absence, the student can submit a new paper when a new/postponed exam is arranged. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam.

The student is responsible for applying for a new exam within the time limits set by HiOA and the Faculty of Education and International Studies. Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at Oslo and Akershus University College. More information about registration and time for new or postponed examinations is available at the HIOA web site.

Examination support material permitted.

A graded scale from A to E for passed and F for not passed will be used.

An internal and external examiner will conduct the assessment of the paper.

The course is open to students who have completed at least a one-year introductory course in Development Studies at either HiOA, the University of Agder or equivalent courses at other universities/university colleges in Norway or abroad.

Education, knowledge and competence are crucial elements in all theories and strategies for development. The course will focus specifically on the role of education in processes of social change as they have played out in history.Religion is an important foundation in many people's lives and often influences educational systems. Religion also works as an educational praxis on its own terms, as part of people's culture and ethos. The course will focus specifically on how religion is a crucial element in educational traditions, both historically and in contemporary societies. The course will take into consideration how education enables individual empowermentand stimulates national consolidation and poverty reduction. Further, it will be studied how modernization and globalization processes change education systems and give education new roles and importance in society.

Religion may be one important part of people's identity, and a growing attention is given to its uses and misuses in the context of politics and political conflicts. The course will highlight the ways in which religion interplays with various dimensions of social organization and differences, such as class, caste, gender and ethnicity. The relationship between religion and development is also a topic of growing interests in newer research. Importance will be given to how globalization also reshapes the meaning of religion in the development processes.

Principal themes are:

a. Tradition, modernity and the role of education

The analysis will take up connections between concepts of knowledge, culture and education systems. It will further discuss the influence of educational traditions on quality and relevance on education systems in contemporary times.

b. Education, national identity and the challenge of globalization

The analysis will focus on the relationship between education and state power under the challenge of globalization, in the light of knowledge and competence as crucial factors in the competition for power in modern society.

c. Rights perspectives and 'Education for All'

Analysis of education in international cooperation and how Rights perspectives can be ensured.

d. Tradition, modernity and the role of religion

The analysis will focus on the content of different religious traditions in regions in the South. It will address how religion works as part of the educational systems, and their reciprocal influence in shaping the societies.

e. Religion, development and globalization

The analysis will focus on the connections between the presence of religion amongst many people in societies in the South, how faith-based organizations take part in development processes.

Examination support material not permitted.

The following grading scale is used: A to E for pass and F for no pass.

The exam will be jointly marked by an internal and an external examiner.