Development Studies

Courses

Development Studies is offered as part of:

Why study Development Studies?

By far the majority of the global population lives in the developing countries, which include many of Australia's closest neighbours. At a time when poverty, disease, environmental destruction and ethnic conflicts are capturing headlines in our media, it can be argued that sustainable and appropriate global development is the most important challenge facing humankind.

The diversity of developing societies is increasing, with some rivalling the industrialised Western countries in productivity and living standards, and others struggling to survive.

The experience of the past 50 years has thrown up many questions:

what does 'development' mean?
how is it achieved?
what kind of development is best?
who benefits from it?
why is it so uneven?

The Development Studies major aims to equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to understand and contribute to these important issues, which will stay with us well into the twenty-first century.

Study overview

The major begins in First Year with two core topics: The Political Economy of International Development briefly charts the pre-colonial and colonial developments in Africa, Asia and Latin America and then focuses more closely on the political and economic transformation in the post-World War II era in these regions; and Culture, Power and Change in International Development which provides a broad introduction to social and cultural issues in Third World development, focusing on contemporary themes such as human and collective rights, constructions of gender, changing traditions and identities, and social welfare.

In Second and Third Years, two core topics are offered: Sustainable Development, and Intellectual Traditions in International Development, plus students select two further topics from a list of electives.

Those successfully completing the major can go on to do an Honours year.

The Centre for Development Studies

Flinders is the only university in South Australia with a Centre for Development Studies. The Centre coordinates an interdisciplinary program from first year undergraduate level up to the postgraduate PhD level and aims to improve understanding of the processes of change and development in Third World states and societies. It draws on development expertise in most of the disciplines and schools in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Career opportunities

There is a growing recognition by both public and private sector employers that we are living in an era when societies around the globe are increasingly interconnected economically, politically and culturally. Because of the broad understanding of non-Western societies and global development issues, students who have undertaken a Development Studies Major have much to offer.

Prospective employers include non-government organisations, government departments such as AusAID and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and private enterprises (eg ethical tourist industry, overseas development consultancies, media).

Further information

Dr Gerry Pye
Tel (08) 8201 3517Fax (08) 8201 5111
Email: gerry.pye@flinders.edu.au

Secretary. Tel: (08) 82012186. Fax: (08) 8201 5111
Email: geography@flinders.edu.au
Web site: Department of Political and International Studies

The Admissions/Prospective Students Office, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8201 3074 or 1300 657 671(local call cost) Fax: (08) 8201 2580
Email: admissions@flinders.edu.au