Undergraduate Program
Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies
I DS offers students a major in IDS, a combined (dual) major with another University department, a minor in IDS in combination with a major in another University department, a concentration in IDS, and an honours degree in IDS. The specific requirements for each of these undergraduate options may be found in the Academic Calendar.
Undergraduates should note that the IDS entry in the Academic Calendar is undergoing considerable revision, eliminating items that were a source of confusion and rationalizing the IDS curriculum to provide more opportunities for undergraduates. These revisions and associated requirements will come into effect in academic year 2006-2007. The new requirements are everywhere more straighforward and transparent than the old ones, and new students contemplating a major in IDS may wish to structure their course choices in anticipation of the new requirements since they will find themselves better positioned to pursue the honours degree, should they choose to do so, under the new structure. A copy of the new Academic Calendar entry for 2006-2007 is in the Appendix. If you have any questions about these requirements, see the IDS undergraduate advisor.
Undergraduates should also note that new courses have been created on project evaluation, project management, and local development practice. There is also a course on development practice (IDST4460.1(.2)) that may be used for overseas or experiential learning opportunities within the undergraduate program. There are many graduate-level courses that are offered at the undergraduate level (with an undergraduate course number); these cross-level courses can provide a stimulating and challenging environment for undergraduates as they discuss and analyse complex development issues in a cross-level forum.
Also note that SMU/IDS is preparing to offer study-abroad and field-school programs for credit; undergraduates should keep in contact with their IDS undergraduate society (see below for contact information) for more information on these and similar programs as they are phased into the IDS curriculum.
Undergraduates connected with IDS are strongly recommended to participate in the IDS Friday Speakers Series, at which international development experts from Canada and abroad offer analysis and comment on central international development issues. The Speakers Series talks are informal, and discussion and debate with the speaker and all present is welcome and encouraged.
IDS Undergraduate Society
The IDS Undergraduate Society acts as a resource and social centre for students who are interested in issues such as poverty and the environment, or simply have a desire to travel and IDS Handbook 2005-2006 11 learn. The society organizes social activities such as a weekly casual get-together on Thursday nights (visit the office for more details). A weekly newsletter is also published which keeps members informed of activities and issues relating to International Development. The office (located on the 5th floor of the Student Union Building) has been set up as a resource centre for IDS students, providing information on such things as programs, travel opportunities, volunteer opportunities, internships and career opportunities.
Cross-level Support
Undergraduates have at their disposal many sources of academic support. However, one under- utilized source is the body of very bright and motivated graduate students within the Program. For example, there are many undergraduate honours students who are working on thesis topics that bear upon, or are related to, topics currently being researched by graduate students. Graduate students are required, by the nature of their thesis project, to create a substantial literature review concerning the issues central to their area of research. To do this, they have to discover sources of information and contacts that may furnish them this information.
Given that undergraduates and graduates are part of our single IDS Program, and that they therefore have at least a tacit academic relationship with each other, the Program would like to encourage undergraduates to contact graduate students, or faculty who may know about graduate student research, for the purposes of informally pairing up graduate students and undergraduates working in the same areas in order to share information and/or contacts.
To the extent that graduate students will be able to find the time to provide this cross-level support, undergraduates will probably find the motivation and advanced education of graduate students to be the source of a rewarding interaction in their IDS undergraduate years.
Courses and Course Sequencing
Undergraduate majors are encouraged to pay close attention to the sequencing of their courses over the years of their IDS curriculum. There have been many cases of students attempting to cram in too many required courses in their final year, with a view to graduation, only to find they are confronted by severe problems of availability and scheduling. We make an earnest attempt to ensure that required IDS courses do not have time conflicts with each other; but students must remember that IDS is an interdisciplinary program, and that some of our requirements are offered by other departments within the University whose timetables we have little or no control over. If in doubt, or if you find this confusing, please see the undergraduate advisor.
Office Location:
5th floor, Room 515,
Student Union Building.
Telephone: 902-496-8263
Society e-mail: smu_ids@hotmail.com
IDS Undergraduate Representative
The creation of this position was an initiative led by the IDS undergraduate society of 2001/2002. The undergraduate representative speaks for all IDS undergraduate students in meetings of the IDS Program Committee.
Undergraduate Programme
Program Committee on International Development Studies
| A. H. O'Malley, Coordinator | International Development Studies |
| H. Veltmeyer | Sociology and Criminology |
| A. M. Dalton | Religious Studies |
| S. Dansereau | International Development Studies |
| M. Doucet | Political Science |
| J. Measor | Political Science |
| J. Morrison | History |
| E. Tastsoglou | Sociology and Criminology |
| S. Wein | Philosophy |
| T. Charles | Finance and Management |
| R. Barbosa | History |
| A. Spires | Modern Languages |
| Adjunct Professors: | W. Bello, T. Charles, N. Girvan, R. Delgado Wise, J. Devlin, J. Petras, J. Kirk, K. Ahoojapatel, |
Note: In addition to the above, there are several other Saint Mary‘s faculty members teaching IDS related courses. Graduate courses are available to students registered in the Master degree program. Other students must have approval of the IDS Coordinator. For information on graduate programs see the Graduate Academic Calendar.
International Development Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program which uses the concepts and research of many university disciplines to explain the startling and disturbing differences in human living conditions among the world‘s social groups, especially those found in what is commonly called the developing world.
Using the techniques and theories of social sciences and humanities disciplines, International Development Studies conducts research, assesses explanations, and engages in real world practices which seek to further our understanding and betterment of human living conditions in all countries throughout the world, but especially countries in the so-called developing world. International Development Studies has a strong orientation towards empirical research, fieldwork, and other forms of primary data acquisition and practice. However, there is also an important emphasis on creating useful understandings and explanations which help us make sense of the current human condition around the globe.
A degree in international development studies may be combined with a degree in another discipline recognized by the International Development Studies Program. Joint majors, and minors, may be arranged through consultation with the University department involved and the Coordinator of International Development Studies Program, or his or her designate.
Students interested in IDS, including students contemplating IDS as a possible major, are encouraged to speak with the IDS Coordinator or Undergraduate Advisor.
The International Development Studies Program strongly recommends that students in IDS gain competency in a second language relevant to their studies. Students are especially referred to the Certificates offered by the Department of Modern Languages. For example, students wishing to focus on the Latin America region should note that a number of courses leading towards the Certificate of Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture may also be counted towards IDST degree.
In addition to the general and basic requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree set out by the Faculty of Arts, students taking a degree within the International Development Studies Program must fulfill the following requirements:
The Major Program
a. The appropriate first year courses, including Faculty of Arts basic requirements, and at least six (6) credit hours from social science electives such as ANTH1202, POLI 1201, POLI 1220, or SOCI 1210, or SOCI 1211, as appropriate;
b. the equivalent of forty-two (42) credit hours approved for the Program, of which:
(i) twelve (12) credit hours must be IDST 2301, 2302, 3401, and 3402;
(ii) a further twelve (12) credit hours, of which three (3) credit hours must consist of SOCI 3386; three (3) credit hours must consist of ECON 1202; and three (3) credit hours must consist of POLI 2314 or an approved Political Science course at the 2000 level or above. A final three (3) credit hours shall consist of IDST 3424; and 208 International Development Studies
(iii) the remaining eighteen (18) credit hours must be from the approved IDS-related courses, or must be selected from courses with a clear focus on international development issues, in which case permission of the Program Coordinator or his/her designate is required. Six (6) credit hours of these eighteen must be at the 4000 level or above, the remaining twelve (12) credit hours being at the 2000 level or above. In completing this requirement, students are encouraged to combine social science courses with other courses when choosing electives.
Students should consult with the undergraduate advisor or the IDS program Coordinator regarding approval for courses not in the sampling of approved courses appearing below.
The Minor Program
The equivalent of twenty-four (24) credit hours selected from courses approved for the program, of which:
a. six (6) credit hours consisting of IDST 2301 and IDST 2302;
b. nine (9) credit hours consisting of: ECON 1202; and SOCI 3386; and POLI 2314 or an approved political science course at the 2000 level or above;
c. the remaining nine (9) credit hours must consist of courses selected from the approved courses appearing below (or others approved by the IDS Coordinator or undergraduate advisor), and must be at the 2000 level or above.
The Concentration Program
A concentration in International Development Studies in partial fulfillment of the B.A. Degree, is the same as the requirements for the IDS Minor Program.
The Honours Program
a. To obtain an honours degree in International Development Studies, a student must first be admitted to the honours program and must then complete all requirements pertinent to the IDS honours program.
Students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate student advisor to arrange a course schedule adequate to the demands of completing the required honours thesis. More specifically:
(i) To be admitted to the program, a student must satisfy pertinent Faculty of Arts requirements for entry into an honours program, and must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better;
(ii) To graduate from the program, a student must satisfy the pertinent Faculty of Arts requirements, and must complete the equivalent of sixty-six (66) credit hours in the IDS honours program as outlined in (b) below; and
(iii) To graduate from the program, a student must also receive a minimum grade of B+ (3.30) in IDST 4500 (the Honours Seminar). Students should note that the Honours Seminar is a full year course; September entry only.
b. For the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in International Development Studies, all students must complete no fewer than sixty-six (66) credit hours, of which:
(i) eighteen (18) credit hours must be IDST 2301, 2302, 3401, 3402, and IDST4500;
(ii) a further twenty-one (21) credit hours must be: ECON 1202 and any additional three (3) credit hours in Economics, such as ECON 1201; and POLI 2314, and any additional three (3) credit hours in Political Science; and SOCI 3386 or SOCI 3385, and any additional three (3) credit hours in Sociology. The remaining three (3) credit hours shall consist of IDST 3424. With the exception of ECON 1202, all courses other than the above must be at the 2000 level or higher and must be from the list of approved courses appearing below (or other courses upon approval by the IDST Coordinator or undergraduate advisor), and must be at the 2000 level or above.;
(iii) the remaining twenty-seven (27) credit hours must be selected from the list of approved courses appearing below (or other courses upon approval by the IDS Coordinator or undergraduate advisor), and must be at the 2000 level or above. Six (6) credit hours of the twenty-seven must be at the 4000 level or above, the remaining twenty-one (21) credit hours being at the 2000 level or above. Students should attempt to select courses that will allow them to concentrate on the development problems of a particular region, such as Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, or the Middle East/North Africa.
Students must consult with the undergraduate advisor or the IDS Program Coordinator regarding approval for courses not in the list of approved courses appearing below;
A typical schedule of courses for an IDS Major would be:
Year 1
ENGL 1205 Introduction to Literature
Six (6) credit hours from one or two of the following: Philosophy 1200 (no other philosophy course satisfies this requirement); Mathematics [including MGSC 1205; MGSC 1206; and CISY 1225]
Nine (9) credit hours from at least two of the following Humanities: Classics, History, Religious Studies, English [other than ENGL 1205], Philosophy (other than PHIL 1200.0), and Modern Languages courses on literature and culture
Twelve (12) credit hours from first year courses in the following social sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology, with a maximum of six (6) credits in any one area. At least one should be from ANTH 1202, ECON 1201, ECON 1202, POLI 1201, POLI 1220, SOCI 1210 or SOCI 1211.
Year 2
IDST 2301 Introduction to International Development Studies: Perspectives |
IDST 2302 Introduction to International Development Studies: Policies and Practice
ECON 1202 Principles of Economics: Macro International Development Studies 209
9 credit hours in Arts at the 2000 level or above
9 credit hours of electives
Year 3
IDST 3401 Seminar in Development Studies: Conceptual Foundations
IDST 3402 Seminar in Development Studies: Contemporary Issues
IDST 3424 Research Methodology
IDST 3386 Sociology of Developing Societies
POLI 2314 Politics of Developing Areas
3 credit hours in IDS approved courses at the 2000 level or above
9 credit hours in Arts at the 2000 level or above
3 credit hours of electives
Year 4
6 credit hours in IDS approved courses at the 2000 level or above
6 credit hours in IDS approved courses at the 4000 level
9 credit hours in Arts at the 2000 level or above
9 credit hours of electives
Approved IDS Courses
Some of these courses have prerequisites which students should note very carefully. The courses below form a parial list of IDS approved courses.
Anthropology
ANTH 2311 Ethnology: Melanesia
ANTH 2326 Contemporary East Asia
ANTH 3304 Egalitarian Societies
ANTH 3309 Peasant Society and Culture
ANTH 3334 Warefare and Aggression: Anthropological Approaches to Human Conflict
Asian Studies
ASNT 3300 Multidisciplinary Study of Asia
ASNT 3305 Contemporary China: Institutions and Culture
Criminology
CRIM 4515 Drugs and Power in Latin America
CRIM 3518 State, Crime, and Power in Developing Societies
Economics
ECON 3310 Development Economics
ECON 3315 Comparative Economic Systems
ECON 3365 International Economic Issues
Education
EDUC 4473 Comparative Perspectives on Innovations in Education-Reforms
EDUC 4474 Comparative Perspectives on Innovations in Education-Alternatives
EDUC 4476 Education and Development I: Perspectives
EDIC 4477 Education and Development II: Policy and Practice
EDUC 4518 Introduction to International Comparative Education: Perspectives
EDUC 4528 Introduction to International Comparative Education: Policies
English
ENGL 4460 Postcolonial Literature: An Overview
Environmental Studies
ENVS 3410 Environmental Impact Assessment
ENVS 4440 Environmental Policy
Finance
FINA 4476 International Financial Management
Geography
GEOG 2303 Geography of World Affairs
History
HIST 2375 Modern Latin America
Management
MGMT 4488 International Business Management
MGMT 4494 Entrepreneurship: Theories and Concepts
Marketing
MKTG 3375 International Marketing
Spanish
SPAN 3304 The Changing Face of Latin America
SPAN 3310 Latin America Culture
SPAN 4416 Latin American Literature of Social Change
Philosophy
PHIL 2325 Philosophical Issues in Int‘l Development
PHIL 4525 International Justice
Political Science
POLI 2314 Politics of Developing Areas
POLI 3315 Canadian Foreign Policy
POLI 3321 International Organization
POLI 3322 Global Political Econom
POLI 3456 Issues in International Security
POLI 4402 Model United Nations
POLI 4451 Gender and International Relations
POLI 4493 Global Social Movements
Religious Studies
RELS 3348 Religion & Ecological Issues In the Developing World
RELS 4100 Religion and International Development
Sociology
SOCI 3319 Reform and Revolution in Latin America
SOCI 3386 Sociology of Developing Societies
SOCI 4382 Gender and International Migration
Course Descriptions
2301 Introduction to Development Studies: Perspectives
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: one of ANTH 1202, ECON 1201/1202, POLI 1201, POLI 1220, or SOCI 1210 and SOCI 1211.
This course introduces students to the nature and scope of development studies as an interdisciplinary field. The course explores the definitions of development, development explanations of poverty and prosperity in many regions of the world and examines a wide spectrum of problems that confront the so-called developing world.
2302 Introduction to Development Studies: Policies and Practice
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301.
This is a continuation of IDST 2301, and explores real-world, past and current development policies and how they are formulated and applied to specific development problems through programs, institutional practices, or community initiatives. It examines the role of the state, local community organizations, and other actors who contribute to the policy-making process and critically analyzes policy successes and failures.
2325 Philosophical Issues in International Development [PHIL 2325]
3 credit hours
3348 Religion and Ecological Issues in the Developing World [RELS 3348]
3 credit hours
3386 Sociology of Developing Societies
[SOCI 3386]
3 credit hours
3401 Seminar in Development Studies: Conceptual Foundations
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301 and 2302.
This is a core IDST mixed lecture/seminar course which examines key concepts, perspectives and theoretical approaches to dealing with issues affecting developing countries, such as industrial development, rural development, economic prosperity, community development etc. The acquisition by students of an analytical and critical assessment of these approaches will be strongly emphasized through readings, presentations, group study and lectures.
3402 Seminar in Development Studies: Contemporary Issues
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 3401.
A continuation of the core IDST 3401 lecture/seminar. In this course students will research and analyze selected problems of development in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Oceania, or Middle East/North Africa. Students will read and discuss a common body of readings, discussing existing programs, policy implications, and contemporary development practices and write one or more major research papers.
3424 Research Methodology
3 credit hour
Prerequisite: IDST 2301 and 2302.
Students will leave this course with the basics of research design and will acquire proficiency in the quantitative and qualitative data collection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to a selected range of development problems.
3460 Development Practice
3 credit hours
This experiential learning course will provide students with an opportunity to link development theory and development practice. This may take many forms, such as acting as a volunteer with an NGO or community-based organizations, pursuing an internship with a multilateral agency, or other forms of University and Program-approved field experience overseas, or, with approval, in Canada.
4381 Gender, Race, Class and Canadian Immigration Policy [SOCI 4381]
3 credit hours
4452 Gender and International Migration
[SOCI 4382]
3 credit hours
4461 South East Asia: Contemporary Development Issues
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301/2302 or permission of instructor.
This course explores development issues in the context of South East Asia, focusing on the nation-state and its development strategies, as well as broader, regional issues of economic and social development. Issues include the emergence of high- growth rate, newly-industrializing countries, the impact of the Asian financial crises and globalization. The course will begin from the perspective of common colonial roots and identify the current sub-regional models of development. The course will explore current alternative approaches articulated by Asian scholars and grassroots organizations. (Note: this course is cross-listed with Asian studies at the undergraduate level.)
4462 Sub-Saharan Africa: Contemporary Development Issues
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301/2302 or permission of instructor.
This course explores development issues specific to Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the nation-state and its colonial past, development strategies, and a spectrum of broader issues of economic and social development. Such issues include the impact of structural adjustment, efforts toward political democratization and the ongoing presence of traditional forms of social organization. The overall objective is to present the dynamic nature of the current policy debates as they are being articulated and challenged by a variety of actors in the region, including African scholars and grassroots organizations.
4463 Latin American: Contemporary Development Issues
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301/2302 or permission of instructor.
This course explores central development issues in Latin America, focusing on the nation-state and its development strategies, as well as broader issues of economic and social development. Such issues include the impact of globalization and liberalization, efforts towards political democratization including the role of popular organizations and alternative approaches articulated by Latin American scholars and grassroots organizations. Sub-regional differences will be discussed and compared.
4464 Popular Approaches to Development
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301/2302 or permission of instructor.
This course will examine theoretical debates surrounding the current alternative and people-centered approaches to development and social change. Emphasis is on alternatives articulated by a new civil society or the new social movements in the South including NGOs, community and grassroots organizations, labour groups and others. Issues range from new practices in development based on increased participation by subaltern groups to the more fundamental challenges to national and international structures as they struggle for greater democratization as groups work for economic and political decentralization.
4470 Environment and Development
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301 and 2302, or permission of instructor.
This seminar will explore the implications for world economic and social development of environmental problems, as well as the question of what mainstream economic development might mean in the context of tackling the growing disruption of the global ecosystem. Along with an in-depth discussion of the possible ecological outcomes of environmental modification, the importance of a sociological and political-economic analysis of the problems of environmental disruption and change will be emphasized.
4473 Comparative Perspectives on Innovations in Education – Reforms [EDUC 4473]
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: at least thirty (30) credit hours of University courses.
This course will assess, compare and contrast variations and reforms to mainstream educational systems, and will emphasize the conditions out of which such reforms are initiated. Special emphasis will be given to contrasting public systems of education with privatization initiatives, together with public/private partnerships and changes that affect access to education, gender and education, and so on. This course will draw on the considerable body of literature and concrete case studies throughout the world; however, considerable emphasis will be given to examples and case studies from the regions or sub-regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa.
4474 Comparative Perspectives on Innovations in Education – Alternatives [EDUC 4474]
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: at least thirty (30) credit hours of University courses.
This course will seek to understand the material and social conditions, practical initiatives, rationale and outcomes of radical alternatives to mainstream education and mainstream educational reforms. Above and beyond in-depth discussions of perspectives on informal and non-formal educational systems, the works of Illich, Freire, and other educational radicals will be discussed, as will the comcepts of intercultural bilingual education, social capital education, and other alternative conceptions of education. The course will provide a forum for the discussion and deeper understanding of the relation between the larger social, political and economic structure and the educational goals and objectives of radical education alternatives. Considerable emphasis will be given to examples and case studies from the regions or sub-regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East/North Africa.
4476 Education and Development I: Perspectives [EDUC 4476]
3 credit hours
Introduction to concepts and analysis underlying a comparative understanding of selected educational systems around the world. The course will emphasize comparisons between mainstream educational understandings in the developed world, the agenda of international education organizations, international educational funders, and the implementation of educational systems, both public and private. Specific reference will be made to access to education, curriculum and culture, gender and education, and similar issues with an emphasis on examples from the so-called developing world in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa.
4477 Education and Development II: Policies and Practices [EDUC 4477]
3 credit hours
A continuation of IDST 4476. Examination and comparison of educational policies in selected countries or regions of the world with a view to assessing educational outcomes, education processes and the relation between education, the public sector, the private sector and international organizations, and the effect of such policies worldwide. Emphasis is on Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa.
4500 Honours Seminar in Development Studies
6 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 3401 and 3402.
Students registered in the International Development Studies Honours Program will use this seminar as an on-going forum in which to complete the required honours thesis. Using a sequence of assignments, discussions, and seminar presentations the student will be introduced to the requirements of conducting empirical research and advanced undergraduate scholarly research writing.
The student‘s overall grade for this seminar will be the average of the thesis grade (provided by the thesis advisor) and the seminar instructor‘s grade for honours seminar participation (minimum of B+).
4518 Introduction to International Comparative Education: Perspectives [EDUC 4518]
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: at least thirty (30) credit hours of University courses.
Introduction to concepts and analysis underlying a comparative understanding of selected educational systems around the world. The course will emphasize comparisons between mainstream educational understandings in the developed world, the agenda of international education organizations, international educational fundors, and the implementation of educational systems, both public and private. Specific reference will be made to access to education, curriculum and culture, gender and education and similar issues with an emphasis on examples from the so-called developing world in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa.
4528 Introduction to International Comparative Education: Policies [EDUC 4528]
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: at least thirty (30) credit hours of University courses and IDST 4518 or permission of Instructor.
This course is a continuation of IDST 4518. Examination and comparison of educational policies in selected countries or regions of the world with a view to assessing educational outcomes, educational processes and the relation between education, the public sector, the private sector and international organizations, and the effect these policies have had, or are having worldwide, with emphasis on the regions or sub-regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa.
4591 - 4593 Directed Study in Education
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Coordinator and/or Dean
An independent study course organized by a faculty member in consultation with a student. It enables a student to pursue independent research in a specific theme in education. Papers and/or examinations will be required.
4826 – 4849 Special Topics in Development Studies
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301 and 2302.
These courses will investigate in-depth a particular topic or set of topics in Development Studies. The specific topic(s) will vary from year to year, depending on the availability of visiting scholars, invited research fellows, or the research plans of associated faculty.
4876 – 4899 Directed Study
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: IDST 2301 and 2302, or permission of Coordinator.
These courses provide an opportunity for students to pursue advanced study individually with resident or adjunct faculty concerning topics not normally covered by regular course offerings. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative and independence and will normally produce a substantial written document such as an annotated bibliography summarizing their literature research.
This page last modified Wednesday, 09-Nov-2011 10:27:00 AST