Seminar One SCS201

Introduction

• Introduction to the course on international development and social justice.

• Importance of understanding foundational concepts in the context of geopolitics.

• Overview of assessments for the course to prepare students for upcoming tasks.

Personal Background

• Instructor from Bath, UK, a UNESCO World Heritage city.

• Studied Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.

• Received a Commonwealth scholarship for a Master's in Southeast Asian studies at the Australian National University (ANU).

• Completed PhD in Human Geography, focusing on urbanization and informal sectors, particularly concerning children.

• Conducted field research in Indonesia with homeless street children in the late 1990s.

Professional Experience

• Worked with AusAid on women's health and family welfare in Lombok, Indonesia.

• Collaborated with UNICEF on child sexual exploitation and labor projects.

• Participated in post-tsunami assessments for Save the Children in Ache, Indonesia.

• Engaged in various roles dealing with children's welfare and development in Vietnam and other locations.

• Moved to Martinique and later worked at the University of Queensland before joining Uni SC.

• Extensive experience in development work for over 30 years.

Course Overview

• Interdisciplinary Nature: Incorporates sociology, human geography, cultural studies, history, and politics.

• Development Definition: Focus on enhancing human well-being, particularly in developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America.

• Key Issues to Address:

  • Colonialism and its legacy.

  • Globalization's impact on poverty and development.

  • Urbanization, rural development, gender intersectionality.

  • Indigenous issues, health and education, environmental justice.

Key Concepts in Development

• Definition of Development: Contested term encompassing positive change over time; focus on more than just economic growth.

• Historical Context: Discussion of the evolution of development theories, including Eurocentric perspectives.

• Development Indicators: Exploring various indicators of development beyond employment.

• Postcolonial Analysis: Understanding the effects of colonization and geopolitics on current development efforts.

Role of Development Actors

• International Organizations: Examples include USAID, World Bank, UNICEF, and various NGOs like Save the Children.

• Government Agencies: Various national and international agencies supporting development initiatives.

• Community Engagement: Importance of local NGOs and grassroots movements in development.

Course Schedule

• Duration: 12 weeks with 10 weeks of tutorials.

• Key Weekly Topics:

  • Week 1: Introduction to key concepts.

  • Week 2: Colonialism and postcolonialism.

  • Week 3: Theories of development and social justice.

  • Week 4: Impact of globalization.

  • Week 5: Environmental justice.

  • Week 6: Health and education impacts.

  • Week 7: Gender and intersectionality.

  • Week 8: Focus on children and youth in development.

  • Week 9: Development alternatives and local empowerment.

  • Week 10: Review and prepare for assessments.

Assessments Overview

• Assessment 1 (Quiz, Week 4): 20 multiple-choice questions based on the first four weeks' readings and materials.

• Presentation (Pair or Individual): Schedule presentation during tutorials between weeks 4 and 10 with a 500-word summary.

• Assessment 3 (Research Paper): 1,700 words on a topic of choice, worth 35%.

Recommended Resources

• Textbook: "Theories and Practices of Development" by Katie Willis (available online).

• News Resource: The Guardian's global development section for current international development issues and insights.

• Action Items for Students: Review course materials and prepare for tutorials to engage in discussions effectively.