FLKM4320 Utviklingsstudier: Makt og ulikhet Emneplan

This course deals with central theoretical and methodological issues relating to power and inequality in developing countries.

No prerequisite knowledge required.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has thorough knowledge of important theoretical and empirical issues linked to inequality and power in the Global South.
• has advanced research-based knowledge of global inequality and poverty.

Skills

The student:

• is capable of explaining how theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches influence findings on the relationships between power and inequality in the Global South.
• is capable of comparing and critically assessing theories and methods applied to studies of power and inequality.
• is capable of analysing existing theories and perspectives with respect to connections between power and distribution in the Global South.

General competence

The student:

• is capable of transferring and adapting research questions and approaches from the analysis of power and distribution in developing regions to other geographical areas, including Norway and other OECD countries.
• is capable of assessing, applying and disseminating new knowledge and academic perspectives related to the study of inequality and power.

Admission to the Master's programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved advanced level in the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student will attain knowledge within:

• systems theory, systemic design and sustainability
• cybernetics and communication theory
• conversation theory
• systems dynamics and systems analysis
• game dynamics in systems
• methods for data gathering in complex settings (visual interviewing, design probes and play probes, co-design, among others)

Skills

The student is capable of:

• describing complex contexts through systems thinking as basis for design
• creating GIGA-maps
• usages of GIGA-maps as conversation, data gathering, research, and design tools
• utilizing systemic design methods for data gathering, sharing, cooperation, analysis, documentation, creation, and the analysis of the creation (intervention)
• documenting all findings in common visualizations and reducing data into graphs that communicate for example discussions, findings, tendencies, causality, dynamics, emergence i.a.
• creating services and products on the basis of the above mentioned skills

General competence

The student attains advanced competence in systemic design by:

• developing the ability to understand and handle complexity and systems thinking in design processes in groups with stakeholders
• holistic thinking and understanding of design projects in relation to sustainability, environmental and social megatrends, general societal contexts and dynamics, culture, politics, market and technological contexts
• communication and cooperation by visualization, GIGA-mapping, and other types of mapping
• the capability to play a lead and cooperative role in design related projects in public and business contexts
• the ability to implement a chosen specialization as an additional approach or focus within this specific course context

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

• One note of reflection. Maximum 1000 words.
• One workshop
• workshop documentation

Individual or group portfolio examination. The portfolio consists of:

• One gigamap / systems mapping
• visualized articles

The examination result can be appealed.

No restrictions.

The exam is assessed by one internal and one external examiner.