Faculty of Arts Development Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Prerequisites
3. Diploma in Arts (Development Studies)
4. Requirements for a major
5. Honours requirements
6. Further study
7. For more information
Subject Lists
    Third/fourth-year subjects
    Fourth-year subjects

Convener: Dr Salim Lakha (School of Social and Environmental Inquiry)

Development studies at the University of Melbourne is one of the fastest growing programs in Australia. The program considers economic, environmental and social changes that occur in societies undergoing development. It offers students the opportunity to study these issues in depth and from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

Development studies is an interdisciplinary program within the School of Social and Environmental Inquiry that encompasses a range of related disciplines including anthropology, geography, environmental studies, politics, indigenous studies, sociology, health, law and economics. Students will develop a wide range of skills in analysis, survey writing, communication, group work and computing and will enrich their knowledge of social and environmental interactions.

The development studies program covers areas that have direct relevance to practical and impact-oriented developmental practices. Recent growth in the development industry (international aid agencies, non-government organisations and private sector consulting companies) testifies to the relevance of the program in development studies at the University of Melbourne. Students who specialise in development studies develop transferable skills that will substantially enhance their career options. Alternatively, they are able to expand on their interest and knowledge through an articulated structure of higher degree study at the University of Melbourne.

1. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. Prerequisites

The program commences in first year. However, students who have completed 50 points of first-year social science subjects may apply to the convener for entry.

3. Diploma in Arts (Development Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 25 points of first-year subjects, including 121-110 Famine in the Modern World, and 75 points of second/third-year subjects selected from the lists below, including 121-015 Development and the Third World.

4. Requirements for a major

A major in development usually consists of eight 12.5-point subjects, totalling 100 points. It comprises:

• two first-year subjects (25 points), which must include 121-110 Famine in the Modern World and at least one other subject from the list of first-year social science subjects below; and

• six second/third-year subjects (75 points), which must include:

  • 121-015 Development and the Third World; and

  • three core subjects; and

  • two subjects from the list of optional subjects below.

Students seeking to make a career in development are strongly advised to construct an undergraduate program that combines a major in development with a major in one of the social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, political science, sociology).

Students should note that some of the above subjects have prerequisites. Consult the relevant area of study entries of this Handbook for details.

5. Honours requirements

It is not possible to complete honours in development studies on a part time basis. Students must complete the honours year full-time over two consecutive semesters of study.

The prerequisites for entry to fourth-year honours in development studies are:

• completion of all the requirements of the BA;

• completion of a major in development studies;

• an average grade of H2A (75%) or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major.

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

6. Further study

Students who wish to undertake further study can enrol in postgraduate courses in development studies, such as the Master of Development Studies (coursework).

7. For more information

Dr Salim Lakha or Dr Violeta Schubert
School of Social and Environmental Inquiry
221 Bouverie Street
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel. +61 3 8344 9382
Fax. +61 3 9349 4218
Email: violetas@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.sages.unimelb.edu.au/development

Third/fourth-year subjects

121-436 The Geopolitics of Peace and Development

Fourth-year subjects

121-526 Development Studies Thesis
121-439 Directed Study in Development
121-503 Research Methods and Design
121-516 Gender Issues in Development
121-525 The Political Ecology of Development
121-545 Understanding Development

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