Course Title: Current Issues in International Development
Instructor: Sarajean Rossitto
Class schedule: Tuesday nights, 6:50 – 8:50pm
Overview:
An issues-based course focusing on developing a deeper, more critical understanding of current issues using the MDGs as a base. After reviewing the MDGs and some points related to international development, the class focuses on specific issues. Weekly online reading assignments introduce background information, reports and important data to help participants understand complex issues. These assignments form a base for class activities and discussion. Class participants are expected to take part in discussion, class work, and a group project.
Participants come out of the course with a more critical understanding of the causes and impacts of current issues as well as ideas for hope they are being dealt.
Target Audience:
This class is for anyone wanting to gain a deeper understanding of issues and lacking depth of knowledge or professional experience in international development or nonprofit NGOs.
Course Format:
This course will be run in workshop format - including presentation, group discussion, pairwork and simulation activities.
Language:
All course materials are in English and classes will be conducted in English. Most class presentation and discussion will take place in English but some may take place in Japanese. All evaluated materials should be submitted and presented in English.
Language Requirement:
High intermediate and above (spoken and written English).
Evaluation:
Participants will receive a pass if they fulfill the criteria for passing: 70% in attendance, class preparation, active class participation, class projects, and a final paper. Class participants are expected to complete readings and/or other course work even if absent.
Assignments and course materials:
We will use a wide array of online readings in this course. Links are on the class blogspot: http://idskills.blogspot.com/
This is be open to class participants only.
Class project:
Each student is expected to take part and prepare a collaborative presentation or final paper, related to the class theme. Each presentation will focus on one problem in one particular place, review the causes and effects as well as 3-5 approaches to the problem.
Presentations will be done in the last class.
Independent study task:
Participants will be asked to attend a workshop, event, symposium or seminar of their choice and submit a) a short report and b) event documentation (such as a flyer). These are due in Class 8.
Course outline
Course outline
General Contents | Concept focus | |
Class 1 Sept 27 | Introductions, Overview of the course Intro to some current issues, discussion on issues that matter to us. | Connecting issues, assessing interests and goals |
Class 2 October | Hunger food and (MDG #1) | Hunger, food security, solutions to food access |
Class 3 | Access to education (MDG #2 & 3) * Setting groups | Literacy, inclusion and conflict and education |
Class 4 | Women’s rights and gender based violence (MDG #3) | Understanding the politics of gender issues. |
Class 5 | Reproductive & sexual health (MDG #4, 5 & 6) | Child and maternal health care, the politics of women’s health AIDS |
Class 6 | Water and sanitation (MDG #7) * Project status report | Understanding the connection between issues |
Class 7 | Disasters and emergencies | Disaster mgt, the difference between relief and recovery |
Class 8 | Emergencies: conflict and disaster * Independent study reports due | The connection between human made and natural disasters and development issues |
Class 9 | AID effectiveness (MDG #8) * Final project papers due | Understanding the role of donors and effectiveness of Aid |
Class 10 | Class presentations and final discussion | Synthesis of skills and issues |
