Development studies focus on the role and form of markets, states, and civil society in the amelioration of poverty and the improvement of human well-being in the Global South, in addition to a focus on the global aspects of development problems as well as their local and regional dimensions. The problems of development are social, economic, cultural, and political; they transcend the conventional boundaries of academic disciplines. Thus, the programme involves a blending of knowledge and perspectives from political science, economics, sociology, psychology, communication, health sciences, anthropology, geography, history, and resource and environmental science. The development studies major will be of interest to those who have an interest in public service, private practice and non-profit organisations involved in social, economic and political change and reform, empowerment, gender mainstreaming, the redress of poverty, and development communication, among others.
Availability
Development studies is offered in the Bachelor of Social Science at Monash South Africa as a major, extended major or minor.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:
- describe the main theories and concepts of development
- explain the connections between these theories and concepts and selected cases of development
- demonstrate independent critical thinking based on careful examination of study materials
- apply lessons learnt to concrete examples of development in the Global South.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited towards the minor.
Students complete:
- Two first-year gateway units (12 points):
- AZA1001 Introduction to development studies
- AZA1433 Interpersonal communication
- Two additional units (12 points) from those listed under the major. It is highly recommended that students complete a level 2 unit before enrolling in a level 3 unit.
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to a major and at least 18 points must be credited to the major at level 3.
Students complete:
- Two level 1 gateway units (12 points):
- AZA1001 Introduction to development studies
- AZA1433 Interpersonal communication
- Two level 2 units (12 points) chosen from:
- AZA2035 Development communication
- AZA2378 Development and the developing world
- AZA2723 Methodological issues in the social sciences*
- Four level 3 units (24 points):
- AZA3380 Sociology of development
- AZA3547 Urban planning, development and sustainability
- AZA3744 School of social science workplace internship
- AZA3771 Management of community projects: Working preventatively with children, youth and families
Extended major requirements (72 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to the extended major and at least 30 points must be at level 3.
Students complete:
- The requirements of the major in development studies (48 points)
- Four of the following units not previously completed as part of the major (24 points) chosen from:
- AZA2035 Development communication
- AZA2378 Development and the developing world
- AZA2549 Poverty and power: The uneven world
- AZA3546 Environmental impact assessment
- AZA3548 Environmental policy and resource management
- AZA3644 South Africa: Democracy and development
Free electives
In addition to the major or minor, the following recommended units can be completed as free electives in Part C. of 4086 Bachelor of Social Science:
- AZA2549 Poverty and power: The uneven world
- AZA3546 Environmental impact assessment
- AZA3548 Environmental policy and resource management
- AZA3644 South Africa: Democracy and development
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degree:*
- 4086 Bachelor of Social Science
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
