COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in International Development (90 ECTS) at the University of Galway is structured across two semesters and a summer research period, combining taught modules with an independent dissertation. In Semester 1, students complete Introduction to Development, International Development Policy and Practice, and International Relations, Geopolitics and Security, each worth 10 ECTS. Semester 2 includes Development and Justice, Young Lives in Global Contexts: Participation, Place and Development, and Research Methods in International Development, also valued at 10 ECTS each. During the summer period, students undertake a 30-credit Research Project and Dissertation, allowing them to apply theoretical and methodological knowledge to an in-depth study of a development-related issue.The Introduction to Development module provides a foundational overview of the key concepts, histories, and traditions that shape diverse understandings and practices of development. It ensures that students from varied academic, professional, and international backgrounds develop a shared conceptual language and analytical toolkit. Using a multi-scalar approach, the module emphasizes the importance of geographically sensitive and cross-scalar perspectives, highlighting how global processes intersect with local realities. Through globally oriented case studies and engagement with different theoretical frameworks, students explore major development debates and practices. Learning outcomes include understanding the historical evolution of developmental thought and action; critically engaging with the discursive and contested nature of development debates; analyzing the complex interplay of local, national, and global interests; examining how global economic processes connect with sustainable social and environmental practices; and articulating diverse ideological and theoretical approaches that shape development discourse and policy.