COURSE CURRICULUM

In Year 1, the development program sets a strong foundation for understanding global development through core modules that explore key economic, social, cultural, and political issues. The "Big Questions for People and Planet" module challenges students to think critically about major global issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and food security. These issues are approached from interdisciplinary perspectives, helping students to evaluate the intersections of environmental sustainability, gender equality, and democracy. "Perspectives on Global Development" offers an introduction to key concepts such as human development, neoliberalism, and decolonization, encouraging students to critically analyze different perspectives on development policy and practice. Additionally, the "Shared Futures" module takes a deep dive into the roles of different institutions, including states, social movements, and the private sector, in shaping global development. The module encourages students to explore how these actors collaborate and sometimes clash in the face of challenges like poverty and environmental degradation. Lastly, the "Introduction to Economics of Development" module equips students with the basic tools of development economics, exploring topics like poverty, inequality, economic growth, and international trade, while also focusing on the dynamic relationship between states and markets.In Year 2, students continue to build on these foundations by delving into the principles of both microeconomics and macroeconomics, as well as enhancing their quantitative research skills. The "Quantitative Evidence in Development" module helps students engage with statistical methods and data analysis, allowing them to critically evaluate and apply evidence in development contexts. The "Economics for Development 2: Microeconomics" and "Economics for Development 3: Macroeconomics" modules deepen students’ understanding of economic principles, with an emphasis on issues relevant to developing countries, from market structures to fiscal policies. This combination of theoretical and practical knowledge in economics prepares students for more specialized study in future years.