COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the Global Development BA, students develop foundational knowledge and skills necessary for understanding global development. They explore the causes and factors shaping contemporary development ideas, considering the historical and ongoing effects of colonialism in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This is examined within broader contexts of political theory and international politics, providing a framework to understand development as both a historical and contemporary phenomenon. In the second year, students build on this foundation through core modules in development politics and international development theory and practice. They engage with real-world case studies addressing critical issues such as water security, poverty reduction, social protection, and access to food and basic services, while studying how institutions design and implement policies and programs to tackle these challenges. Research skills are further developed, enabling students to generate new insights, and optional modules allow exploration of related topics such as public policy, security studies, and international relations. Opportunities for a semester abroad provide additional international perspectives. The final year focuses primarily on an independent dissertation, allowing students to conduct research on a topic of their choice and demonstrate interdisciplinary and critical research abilities. This is complemented by optional modules, which allow further specialization in global development or related areas within politics and international studies.