Course overview
This course aims to examine key concepts and theoretical frameworks with a focus on development terms, such as community, participation, sustainability, gender, equality and empowerment. We explore the use of these concepts in development practice and policy. These include poverty and gender; the empowerment of women through work and microfinance; and proposed empowerment of communities through the girl effect. Corporate community development is examined, as is the practice of volunteer/cultural tourism as sustainable community development; the issue of human rights at the level of local communities; and analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals from the standpoint of gender and community.
- Empowerment & Development Foundations
- Gender, Community & Policy
- Contemporary Practices & Futures
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the nature and theories of development at the community and grassroots level and critique these theories from a gender-based perspective.
- Analyse key issues and concerns about development and development studies from a critical perspective.
- Apply key theoretical approaches to contemporary development contexts and situations.
- Critically evaluate central themes, propositions, and concepts in development studies, focusing on community development and gender-based development
- Demonstrate an academically rigorous understanding of the diversity of community and participatory development contexts, policies, and practices
- Collaborate sensitively and effectively in teams and work independently in a research-intensive environment.