This course is about development and change in the contemporary world. It examines the main theoretical approaches to development and how they affect development practice. Against this background the course takes up some key themes connected to the current “development agenda”, including the role of social policies, foreign aid, gender, environmental sustainability, and development-induced displacement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the different perspectives and theories of development and change in the modern era;
2. analyse the competing interests, motivations and rhetoric of key stakeholders and interest groups;
3. apply development theory and perspectives to contemporary issues;
4. conduct research and think critically and to develop academic writing styles to suit different purposes; and
5. understand the issues and processes described and to relate them to current affairs and present-day issues of significance.

Required Resources

There is no single textbook for this course.

Recommended Resources

Refer to Wattle

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Individual comments for the essay /policy brief
• General oral feedback on the essay/policy brief, given during lecture.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Suggested Sources for Research

We encourage students to pursue their individual research interests and actively search for specific scholarship relevant to their topics of concern. Remember that what you gain from any course is also related to your inputs, so if you find a theme that really calls your attention, do not let it go! Be curious! Here are some sources that are very useful for this subject:

 

Academic journals (Access via E-library)

Development and Change, Third World Quarterly, World Development, The Journal of Development Studies, Comparative Studies in Society and History, International Studies Quarterly, Latin American Politics and Society, Economic Development and Cultural Change, IDS Bulletin, Theory and Society, Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Development Studies, Journal of Peasant Studies, International Labour Review, Canadian Journal of Development Studies, Journal of International Development, New Internationalist, European Journal of Development Research, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Review of International Political Economy, among others.

 Others

Development is the focus of a number of international organisations which publish a considerable volume of research reports and policy papers available online. Examples include: UNDP, UNRISD, World Bank, all regional development banks, ILO, FAO, IOM.

National development agencies, NGOs and think tanks also publish valuable research and policy documents. If you are interested in a non-English speaking country and can read its official language, it is strongly recommended that you search for materials prepared by national governments and NGOs to compare views. You can also consider monitoring a news website (e.g. BBC, The Guardian), and blogs on development news. Many websites now maintain an RSS Feed. Once you subscribe for free, you will automatically receive updated information.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Refer to Wattle

Tutorial Registration

Details on Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Outline of essay or policy brief	10 %	25/03/2019	03/04/2019	3, 4, 5
Essay or policy brief	50 %	30/04/2019	21/05/2019	3, 4, 5
Final take-home exam	30 %	25/05/2019	01/01/9999	1, 2, 3, 5
Tutorial Participation	10 %	31/05/2019	01/01/9999

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Outline of essay or policy brief

The essay/policy brief aims to help you organise your ideas for the essay/policy. You should provide a very brief description of the subject matter you have chosen for your assignment, as well as an outline of the structure/sections.

Length: Headings/dot points and a paragraph summary - maximum 500 words

Value: 10%

For more detail refer to Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Essay or policy brief

Word limit: 2500 words

The word limit is flexible by about 10% for this task.

Value: 50%

For more detail refer to Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Final take-home exam

Word limit: 1500 words (approximately 750 words per question)

Value: 30%

For more detail refer to Wattle

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial Participation

This will be assessed continuous by your tutor throughout the semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

There is no late submission for take-home examinations, that is, failure to submit on the due date will lead to a mark of 0 and, consequently, inability to complete the course.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Turnitin.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students