UTVSD6000 Development Studies 2 Course description

The course description was approved by the Academic Affairs Committee 10 April 2014

and revised 30 November 2015. Minor change approved 20 November 2017

Reading List updated 20 November 2017

The course was established by the Dean 28 May 2014

Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA) offers a one semester full-time course (30 ECTS credits) in development studies in Ghana. The course is a joint venture between HiOA 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, Argentina and Latin America. HiOA offers interdisciplinary courses in development issues and North-South relations, leading to a Bachelor-s degree of 180 ECTS credits in Development Studies. Students who complete Development Studies I and Development Studies II can apply to continue their studies and complete a Bachelor degree in Development Studies at HiOA by taking courses worth 120 ECTS (the 2nd and 3rd year at the bachelor programme). Be aware that the 3rd and 6th semester in this bachelor programme are taught in Norwegian, while 4th and 5th semester can be offered in English.

The aim of Development Studies II is to combine a study of the academic and institutional literature with field study, taking an inductive approach where learning from the field experience is brought to the literature and informs theory, rather than a deductive approach that applies a particular theory to research data. Thus, the field study will become part of the course curriculum. In addition, there will be a programme of lectures around the four core themes, 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 Ghana to attend 10 weeks of lectures, academic activities and field study. The final five weeks are again web-based.

No prerequisite knowledge required.

The overall objective for the course Development Studies II is to give students an interdisciplinary understanding of development with a focus on Africa, the national and local experience in the context of wider regional and global influences.

At the end of the course the student has obtained the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The students should acquire knowledge in:

• The application and experiences of various strategies of development

• An understanding of and ability to apply concepts such as poverty, governance, inequality, power,  human rights, culture, participation, empowerment, population and development research. An appreciation of the complex interaction between local, national, regional and global influences on development initiatives and outcomes
• An appreciation of the political, economic, environmental and social aspects of development

Skills

The multi-level empirical approach of this course will provide a base for problem-based discussions, critical analysis and reflection.

The students should be able to:

• Carry out and present own research (an in-depth study within one of the above dimensions of development)
• Carry through a well-reflected problem oriented analysis of development issues
• Critically collect material through own research and through other sources

General competence

The students should be able to:

• Provide problem oriented explanations and use critical analysis in their work

As this course is a second level course within development studies, it will be organised around four core themes building on Development Studies 1 in Vietnam or Global Forståelse 1 at HiOA:

The Regional Context

The course will start with an introduction to the African experience of development, related to African history, environment, culture and political development. Global influences will be considered, as well as the particular experiences of Ghana. One aim will be to show the many and diverse social and cultural changes that have taken place in the region as a result of political and economic policies and programmes. 

Politics, governance and social movements

This theme will include formal politics, the development and role of the state, and informal politics, the role of individual actors, groups, and different types of activities within civil societies, like social movements, in forging their own views of development, which may be in support of, or against, state policies and programmes. There will be a consideration of different political ideas and understandings of democratization, as well as a critical engagement with the ideas of governance applied to agencies of the state, international actors, NGOs, and locally based organizations.

Environment and social development

This theme will analyse key environmental issues with relation to development processes and different understandings of sustainable development. One central topic will be changes in natural resources, as well as an understanding of an overall political ecological approach will be given in relation to these topics. Processes of migration, changes in population and urbanization are also included.  

Studying development in the field

Conducting a field study will be a core component of the course. Lectures and activities will be conducted in order to give students a solid foundation in various methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, and participatory), an appreciation of the difficulties, constraints and opportunities, as well as a consideration of their positionality and ethical issues related to doing development research. 

The course combines two periods of self-study (at the beginning and at the end of the course) with a period of study in Ghana, which will include both lectures and field study. The field study projects will be in small groups.

Part 1 - Introduction (6 weeks)

Self-study, review of literature, complete first assignment.

Part 2 - Study and Research in Ghana (10 weeks)

Weeks 1-3: introductory lectures on the African experience of development, Ghana, field trips, create field study groups, review of development theory, and lectures and activities on methodology; group work: develop a short field study proposal in consultation with seminar leader.

Week 4: Home exam

Weeks 5-6-7: fieldwork in groups (3 weeks). After completion of field study, students hand in one copy of their material to the seminar leader as back-up.

Week 8: lectures on theoretical approaches.

Week 9: lectures on theoretical approaches.

Week 10: Group presentations on empirical findings, linked to the literature.

Part 3 - Field report (5 weeks)

Self-study, completion of individual reports based on the group fieldwork. 

During the first three weeks of their stay in Ghana, in consultation with the seminar leader, students will be part of a small group (generally 4-5) that will conduct the research together. The field work is the core of the course, where they will deepen their theoretical and methodological knowledge by designing their own research project, collect data through interviews or other methods, and relate their own research to discussions in development studies. The seminar leader will help with the formation of groups and with local staff arrange for individual or group placements in organizations, villages or neighborhoods.

Students must have the following requirements approved before examination:

Before the home exam:  

1. Introductory assignment - literature review (approved/not approved)

This is a paper of approx. 1800 words (+/- 10 %) / approx. 4-6 pages, and is completed by the student during the first period of home study. Web based sources will be supplied as an introduction to the course and set books will be identified which students should purchase. For the assignment, students should write 2-3 pages on development in Africa based on the readings, and a further 2-3 pages on a theme covered in the reading list. Students will be able to contact the seminar leader by e-mail during this period.   

The purpose of the assignment is to develop background knowledge in order to prepare for the time in Ghana, to begin the process of identifying a topic for field-study, and to show evidence of academic conventions (a supported argument with a range of sources that have been referenced). The paper is to be submitted through e-mail to the seminar leader before the start of the course in Ghana, and will be assessed as approved/not approved by the seminar leader during the first two weeks. A student who receives a -not approved- is entitled to maximum two new attempts to fulfil the course requirement. A new deadline for the revised assignment will be made by the seminar leader in relation to each individual case.

Before the field study report exam:

Research diary (approved/not approved)

It is a requirement of the course that students keep a diary of their experiences in Ghana, which starts at arrival in Ghana, and with particular attention to the periods of fieldwork. The diary should include plans, methods and daily thoughts on the experience of doing research, by being reflective on the processes, successes and limitations. It could also include such things as interview questions, notes on focus groups, drafts of questionnaires, and links to ideas and debates in the literature. The guiding principle is that it is useful to them as researchers as it will be an essential source when it comes to preparing the assignments. A requirement is that students write down some reflections each day during fieldwork, and the diary is assessed as approved/not approved by the seminar leader.

Oral presentation on field study findings (approved/not approved)

Oral presentation on field study findings (approved/not approved. This will take place during the last week in Ghana, when each group will present their field study.  The focus is on the methodological experiences and empirical results of their fieldwork, but it should be related to ideas from the literature and issues and debates raised in the course. The purpose of the assignment is to consolidate the students- learning from both their own field study and the academic literature, assessing similarities and differences, and being aware of possible reasons for such comparisons. The format - an oral presentation - gives students experience in a useful skill, as well as providing a learning opportunity for other members of the course. The oral presentation will be of approx. 30 minutes, and is assessed as approved/not approved by the seminar leader.

Course work requirements must be met within fixed deadlines. Lectures and seminars are mandatory, due to field preparations and group activities. Students who, due to illness or other valid and documented reasons (such as a medical certificate), do not meet the work requirements within the fixed deadlines, may be given a new deadline, in each individual case given by the seminar leader. Students who, due to the same reasons, have less than 80% attendance at lectures and seminars, will by the seminar leader be given a written assignment of approx. 2000 words (5 pages) +/- 10 % over a fixed topic and with a fixed deadline. Students who do not comply with this lose the right to take the final exam (i.e. submit their field study report).  

Students will be assessed on the basis of a home exam and field study report which respectively count 40 % and 60 % of the final mark. Both exams must be passed in order to be awarded a final grade. If a student does not pass one of the exams, only the failed exam shall be re-taken. The Study Guide of the course will give details about deadlines defined by HiOA.

Home exam (40 %)

An individual home exam of 3000 words +/- 10 %. This exam is based on the compulsory curriculum and will be held over 3 days in week 4. This exam is marked (A-F) by one internal and one external examiner.  

Field study report (60 %)

This is completed after the stay in Ghana when the students are again studying on their own. This is done individually, and each student writes a report on the basis of the field study done with the group. All data material collected during the fieldwork will be shared among the group members. The students will get supervision by e-mail for the writing of this report. It should be approx. 6000-8000 words (approx. 15-20 pages). The report is to be submitted electronically. This examination is given a mark (A-F) by one internal and one external examiner.

The students- academic performance is based on the two assessments presented above, and students will be awarded a composite grade based on the marks and the percentage for each exam.

New or postponed examination

In case of failed exam/legal absence, the student can have a new individual home exam under the same conditions when a new/postponed exam is arranged. A student who fail his/her individual field study report, or who pass but wish to improve the grade, may submit a revised version. The deadline for this coincides with the deadline for general evaluation the following term.

Examination support material is permitted.

Grades are given according to a scale ranging from A (outstanding) to F (not approved).

Grading scale will be according to the ECTS-grading scale, with A-E as pass grades and F as fail grade.

Criteria for the different grades

A, Outstanding: An outstanding performance. The assignment paper/performance documents outstanding subject knowledge and an outstanding degree of independence and ability in relating subject knowledge to the educational goals of the course.

B, Very good: A very good performance, well above the average. The assignment paper/performance documents very good subject knowledge and a high degree of independence and ability in relating subject knowledge to the educational goals of the course. 

C, Good: An average performance. The assignment paper/performance documents a fair level of subject knowledge and some degree independence and ability in relating subject knowledge to the educational goals of the course.

D, Fairly good: A performance below average. The assignment paper/performance documents a level of subject knowledge with some deficiency, and shows a lesser degree of independence and ability in relating subject knowledge to the educational goals of the course. 

E, Adequate: A performance satisfying the minimum requirements. The assignment paper/performance documents low degree of subject knowledge, and shows a low level of independence and ability in relating subject knowledge to the educational goals of the course. 

F, Not approved: The assignment paper/performance does not satisfy minimum requirements 

One internal and one external examiner.

Development Studies II is intended for

• students who wish to include development studies as a part of a Bachelor's degree
• professionals (teachers, nurses, journalists, engineers etc.) and others who seek further education in international, development and multicultural issues. 

Admission requirement

Applicants must qualify for university admission in Norway. Development Studies II is a second level course and builds on Development Studies I (offered in Vietnam) or Global Forståelse I (offered at HiOA). The requirement is that students have done at least 30 credit units in development studies, or 60 credit units in social sciences. Be aware that students who are granted admission on the basis of 60 credit units in social sciences, with no development studies, will not be granted admission in the second year in the Bachelor programme in Development Studies at HiOA.