HGO4501 – Development
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The aim of this course is to introduce students to a selection of key contemporary issues in the global south from a development perspective.
As part of a global economy, countries in the global south face a number of challenges concerning the economic, social and political development of their respective societies. The course addresses five key issues for the global south today: natural resource extraction, environmental justice, urban development, social protection, and international migration. Through analyses of selected issues and empirical cases, we want students to understand the dynamics at work in these key areas, how they are addressed in policy-making and how they are incorporated (or not) in overall strategies of development.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the dynamics of key contemporary issues addressed in the course from a development perspective.
- Apply concepts and analytical perspectives addressed in the course to similar cases in different geographical settings.
- Assess the role of the state and key stakeholders in the economic, social and/or political processes addressed in the course.
Skills
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Explain the economic, social and/or political processes at work in each of the key issues addressed in the course.
- Compare the policies and strategies applied to address key issues across sectors/issues in the global south.
- Recognise interconnections between the key issues addressed in the course, both analytically and empirically.
- Formulate your independent view on key contemporary issues in the global south.
Competences
- The course trains the students in independent and critical thinking about key contemporary issues in the global south from a development perspective. You will be able to:
- Assess critically development issues in different empirical contexts.
- Contribute to the new creative and independent thinking about development in the global south.
- Communicate your analysis in a systematic way both verbally and in writing.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is a part of the Master`s program in Human Geography. Students with admission to other relevant master’s degree programmes can apply for admission as guest students.
Master specialisation in didactics for social science in the Teacher Education Programme (Lektorprogrammet) – please see the link for information regarding admission.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with SGO4501 – Development (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with SGO4015 – Development Theory (discontinued).
Teaching
The teaching consists of lectures that aim at a dialogue between lecturers and students. Each session addresses a specific issue and introduces a case to be discussed on the basis of assigned readings and other teaching materials announced in Canvas. While the first hour of the session has a lecture format, the second hour is dedicated to group work and discussion. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions, both in plenum and small groups.
All teaching will be given in English.
Examination
The exam for HGO4501 is a term paper.
- The topic for the term paper is decided by each student and must be within the thematic focus of the course.
- The term paper must address two (2) of the five (5) themes of the course.
- The term paper must demonstrate active engagement with the syllabus. Additional sources can also be applied.
- The topic and focus of the term paper will be assessed and approved by the course coordinator within a set deadline.
- The length of the paper will be maximum 4000 words plus references.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.