UTVB3003 Introduction to the Development Enterprise Course description

[Internt: Starting 2024/2025, this course is expanded to 15 ETCS, integrating key contents from the then-terminated UTVB3130 Recent trends in development assistance]

The Faculty of Education and International Studies at Oslo Metropolitan University offers interdisciplinary courses leading to a Bacherlor's degree of 180 ECTS credits in Development Studies. This course on is at the intermediate level and represents a 15 ECTS credits module in the 5th semester of the Bachelor programme.

If there are non-Scandinavian exchange students at the course, it will be taught in in English.

The succeful completion of this course is a prerequisite for students wanting to apply for UTVB3901 Hospitering i utviklingsindustrien - med bacheloroppgave, in the sixth semester.

See programme description. The course is open to exchange students with relevant background upon request.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student has obtained the following learning outcome in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of key types of development interventions - including official aid; policy coherence for development; advocacy and transnational activism; and corporate social responsibility.
• has knowledge of key tendencies in the organization and aims of current development assistance - including new donors; coordination under the Sustainable Development Goals; the integration of aid with other global concerns (security, environment, and commerce) - and the overarching imperative of ensuring aid effectiveness.
• has knowledge of how the development enterprise, as a field of practice, may be systematically and critically studied

Skills

The student

• has the ability to critically discuss various types of aid development interventions and trends
• understands the ethical challenges in the field of practice and in the study of this field

General competence

The student can

• identify and make use of relevant literature in discussion of topics in the field
• can give both written and oral presentations of a topic in the field, based on sound social sciences method

Assistant Professor Nuno Marques

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student has:

• advanced knowledge of cultural differences and dimensions related to data privacy, data security, information security, cybersecurity, and universal design
• advanced knowledge of how the world changes constantly and how these changes can develop new methodologies for exploring, understanding, and analyzing cultural differences and dimensions
• advanced knowledge of technology, best practices and development processes for information and communications technology (ICT) solutions
• advanced knowledge of analysing the cultural conditions and perspectives that lead to communication gaps and digital divides.

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• carry out necessary analysis and testing across cultures
• design culturally neutral prototypes
• use knowledge of different cultures and group dynamics to communicate, collaborate and resolve conflicts, now and in the future
• act objectively when carrying out evaluations and have knowledge about their own impact on processes and results.

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• analyse and understand academic, professional and ethical issues related to accessibility in diverse cultures
• apply knowledge and skills in data privacy, data security, information security, cybersecurity and universal design of information and communications technology (ICT) to solve accessibility challenges in diverse cultures
• provide comprehensive independent study and master expressions and terms in the field
• contribute to cross-cultural collaboration, new thinking, knowledge-sharing and innovation processes.

The course is organized as a series of lectures and seminars that cover the main theories.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Two presentations in groups of up to three students, and participate as a discussant (max. two questions per group) in all the other group presentations
• A project report plan (either in groups or individually) must be approved before the project starts. Students will receive feedback during the planning stage of the project. The students carry out projects according to the approved project plan.

The project report counts 100% of the final grade. The project report must have the following extent:

• 6 000 words (+/-20%) if one writes alone
• 9 000 words (+/-20%) if two collaborate
• 12 000 words (+/-20%) if three collaborate

More than three students cannot write together. Further guidelines will be given when the course starts. The exams can be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for registering for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

Grade scale A-F.