By critically engaging with advanced writings of significant Global North and South theorists, this course examines key debates within the sustainable development field. It will examine how influential development theories have been interpreted, applied, and challenged in different contexts. This will provide a foundation for comparing earlier development theories with contemporary approaches to sustainable development, in order to assess whether these represent substantive shifts in thinking or the persistence of longstanding assumptions. Through this process, students will develop an understanding of how key ideas have evolved and how they shape contemporary debates, policy frameworks, and sustainability practices.

Weekly: one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour seminar

None

There are no co-requisites for this course.

Presentation:

35% (ILOs 1 and 4)

Students will deliver a presentation that demonstrates their understanding of key development theories and evaluates competing arguments about continuity and change in development thinking.

Essay (2000 words)

Sustainable Development: Continuity or Transformation?
65% (ILOs 2, 3 and 4)

Students will develop and defend a clear position on whether sustainable development represents continuity or transformation in development thinking. They will draw on development theories and comparative analysis, including consideration of economic, social, and ecological dimensions, to articulate a coherent vision for sustainable development.

1. To develop students' understanding of key development theories and contemporary sustainable development frameworks

2. To develop students' ability to assess claims of continuity and change in development thinking

3. To facilitate comparative analysis of Global North-South orientations and traditional and contemporary approaches to sustainable development, in relation to substantive shifts in thinking or the persistence of longstanding assumptions

4. To prepare students to articulate and defend a clear theoretical position on whether sustainable development represents continuity or change in development thinking through sustained engagement with theoretical debates and case studies.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Explain the content of key advanced development theories and contemporary sustainable development frameworks.

2. Critically compare earlier development theories with contemporary sustainable development frameworks, including Global North-South orientations.

3. Analyse how economic, social, and ecological dimensions are integrated within sustainable development

4. Evaluate competing arguments about continuity and change in development thinking, and articulate and defend a clear theoretical position.