Global Development Studies Concentration
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Global Development Studies

Global Development Studies Concentration

J. Montgomery Roper, Chair

The interdisciplinary character of this concentration introduces students to diverse perspectives on processes of change in the so-called "Third World." Courses in the social sciences and humanities permit concentrators to learn about Western and non-Western conceptions of change and the meaning of development. The requirement in environment and development ensures that concentrators will become conversant in the environmental and technological implications of economic change and the alternative offered by strategies of sustainable development.

In addition to completing the required coursework, concentrators must participate in either an internship or independent research project. Students planning to study or complete internships abroad are expected to undertake appropriate language study. A statistics course is also recommended.

Required, 22 or 24 credits as follows:

   • Chinese/General Literary Studies 277 Modern China through Literature and
Film (in translation)
   • History 201 Colonial Latin America
   • History 261 Southern Africa
   • Global Development Studies/Environmental Studies 251 Water, Development,
and the Environment

1. Global Development Studies 111 Introduction to Global Development Studies

2. Micro Setting, one four - credit course required, chosen from the following:
   • Anthropology 242 African Cultures
   • Anthropology 246 Peoples of the Middle East
   • Anthropology 257 Latin American Cultures
   • Chinese 277 Modern China through Literature and Film (in Translation)
   • English 225 Introduction to Postcolonial Literatures
   • English 360 Seminar in Postcolonial Literature
   • French 342 Orientalism Revisited
   • History 202 Modern Latin America
   • History 204 Radical Movements in 20th-Century Latin America
   • History 276 Chinese History II
   • Latin American Studies 111 Introduction to Latin American Studies
   • Political Science 261 State and Society in Latin America
   • Political Science 262 African Politics
   • Political Science 275 Politics of the People's Republic of China
   • Religious Studies 117 Major Asian Religions
   • Religious Studies 220 The Traditions of Islam
   • Religious Studies 222 Religious Traditions of China
   • Spanish 315 Creativity and Dissidence in Modern Spanish America
   • Spanish 377 Modernization and Innovation in Contemporary Spanish America
   • Spanish 383 The Spanish American Colonial World

3. Macro Context, one four-credit course required, chosen from the following:
   • Anthropology 238 Cultural and Political Ecology
   • Economics 230 Economic Development
   • Economics 233 International Economics
   • Economics 240 Resource and Environmental Economics
   • Political Science 251 International Political Economy
   • Sociology 220 Sociology of Global Development

4. Environment and Development, one four-credit course required, chosen from the following:
   • Anthropology 238 Cultural and Political Ecology
   • §Biology 150 Introduction to Biological Inquiry
   • Biology 220 Biotechnology and Its Social Impact
   • Biology 340 Aquatic Biology
   • Biology 368 Ecology
   • Economics 240 Resource and Environmental Economics
   • Environmental Studies 145 Nations and the Global Environment
   • §Environmental Studies 395 Advanced Special Topics
   • §Environmental Studies 495 Senior Seminar
   • Global Development Studies 251 Water, Development, and the Environment
   • Technology 154 Evolution of Technology

§Varying content requires the approval of the concentration committee.

5. Senior Seminar, one four-credit course required, chosen from the following:
   • Economics 372 Seminar in Economic Development
   • Economics 374 Seminar in International Trade
   • Economics 375 Seminar in International Finance
   • Global Development Studies 346 Sustainable Development in the Modern World System
   • Global Development Studies 347 Globalization and Development
   • Political Science 350 International Politics of Land and Sea Resources
   • Political Science 354 Political Economy of Developing Countries
   • Political Science 357 Diffusion of Democracy
   • §Sociology 390 Advanced Studies in Sociology

§Varying content requires the approval of the concentration committee.

Note: Courses not taken as senior seminar may be taken to meet the distribution requirements of Nos. 3 or 4, depending on appropriateness.

6. Additional Course Requirements (two or four credits)
   • Two credits in an approved 300-level internship in development, strongly
recommended

or

   • Four credits in an approved 397 independent project or 499 Mentored
Advanced Project (MAP)

Other Requirements

1. Students must complete GDS 111 before taking the senior seminar or undertaking the internship or independent study.

2. No course can be counted toward more than one concentration requirement.

3. Student selections must include at least one course in anthropology or sociology, economics, and political science from the approved list.

4. Concentrators planning to participate in internships and study-abroad programs are expected to undertake foreign language study if the target language is offered at Grinnell through either formal departments or the Alternative Language Study Option Program. Concentrators are required to review their plans for foreign language study with their GDS adviser.

111 Introduction to Global Development 4 credits

Studies (Fall and Spring)
This course adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of contemporary issues in the economic development of less-developed countries. Course reviews the leading theories of economic, political, and social change that have been adopted by anthropologists, economists, and political scientists, and considers how these theories have shaped past and current debate on the definition and goals of the development process. Course compares and contrasts the approaches adopted by international institutions and alternative development organizations to the "practice" of development. Prerequisite: one course in Anthropology, or Economics, or Political Science, or Sociology; or permission of instructor. Economics 111 is strongly recommended. CARTER, ROPER.

251 Water, Development, and the Environment* (Spring) 4 credits

Also listed as Environnmental Studies 251. This course explores international water issues, focusing on the environmental, social, economic, and political implications of water scarcity. Emphasis will be on three interrelated topics: water scarcity as a constraint on development; water scarcity as a source of domestic and international conflict; and, in particular, the environmental implications of water supply projects and their social and economic consequences. Water management policy and the implications of changing climate on regional water availability will also be considered. Prerequisite: second-year standing or permission of instructor. P. JACOBSON.

346 Sustainable Development in the 4 credits+

Modern World System* (Spring)
Interdisciplinary social science examination of theories and issues concerning "sustainable development." Historical consideration of the goals of development along with how and why the concept of sustainability became prevalent in the dominant discourse, and the contested meanings applied to this concept. Focus then given to several key issues (varying by year) at the boundary of economic/social development, natural resource management, and environmental degradation (such as population growth, agrarian reform, international environmental treaties, climate change, deforestation, agribusiness, tourism, etc.). Can count as anthropology seminar when taught by Roper. Prerequisite: Global Development Studies 111, or Anthropology 280, or permission of instructor. ROPER.

347 Globalization and Development* 4 credits+

Interdisciplinary social science examination of the nature of social change - particularly in terms of varied conceptions of "development" - associated with processes of modernization and globalization in developing countries. Focus is placed on western development aid and the expansion of the world capitalist system; including the major actors and institutions involved, their linkages with one another and peoples in the developing world, and impacts on the developing world. Also examines local-level responses, focusing on social movements and/or grassroots development initiatives. Can count as anthropology seminar when taught by Roper. Prerequisite: Global Development Studies 111, or Anthropology 280, or permission of instructor. ROPER.


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