UTVSD6000 Development Studies 2 Course description

The course description was approved by the Academic Affairs Committee 10 April 2014, revised 30 November 2015 and 9 December 2024 . Minor change approved 20 November 2017

Revised September 2023

Reading List updated 20 November 2017

The course was established by the Dean 28 May 2014

OsloMet offers a one semester full-time course (30 ECTS credits) in development studies in Ghana. 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, Argentina and Latin America. OsloMet 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's degree in Development Studies at OsloMet 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 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.

This course covers differences in user requirements due to user heterogeneity, situational variations and the wide range of hardware, software and versions of these. Identification of disabling barriers and how these can be eliminated or reduced through universal design of ICT is a central theme in this course. Furthermore relevant guidelines, regulations and legislation will be covered.

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 UTVB1100 Introduksjon til utviklingsstudier and UTVB1200 Regionalkunnskap og globalhistorie at OsloMet.

The Regional Context

This theme provides 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.

Environment, climate and development

This theme will analyse key environmental issues with relation to development processes and understandings of sustainable development. Changes in natural resources, natural resource management and political ecology are central topics, as are agriculture and livelihood.

Critical and alternative approaches to development

This theme delves into critical and alternative approaches in development studies, such as postcolonialism, decolonization, and feminist viewpoints. It examines the impact of colonialism on development practices and challenges traditional narratives, while also exploring power dynamics and gender norms within development.

Studying development in the field

Conducting a field study is 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.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Students must have the following requirements approved before examination:

Before the home exam:

Introductory assignment - literature review (approved/not approved)

This is a paper of 1800 words (+/- 10 %) that is to be completed by the student during the first period of home study. Relevant literature is available online, through Leganto, and set books will be identified for students to 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 have the possibility to contact the seminar leader 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 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 the students 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 2000 words (+/- 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).

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

• Individual oral presentation of journal or conference articles in class (15 to 20 minutes).
• Participation: Obligatory participation in 2;excursions is required in order for the student to pass this course. The dates for the excursions will be announced at semester start.

Exam in two part:

• Individual project report (5000-6000 words). The project examination counts 70% of the final grade.
• Individual oral examination (20 minutes for each candidate). The oral examination counts 30% of the final grade.

Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course.

The oral examination cannot be appealed.

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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 applying 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 for the project. For the oral exam, students will not have access to computers or other aids.

Grade Scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.