Admission requirements
Admission to the MA International Relations, specialization in Global Political Economy or Culture and Politics. Other students who are interested in the course are requested to contact the co-ordinator of studies.
Description
For decades now, European ideas of modernization built around markets and the national state have dominated developmental imaginaries and policy efforts. While this hegemonic model has always encountered resistance, its limits are now clearer than ever, with the ecological and social basis of our existence being challenged by the relentless pursuit of profit and accumulation. The question is, of course, whether there are any viable alternatives, and if so, whether these can be the basis for a fairer and more sustainable world order.
This course examines critiques of neoliberal globalization as the dominant model of development, and explores alternative paths to modernization in the work of alter-globalization advocates, critical environmentalists, or the philosophies of indigenous peoples. While acknowledging the importance of these alternatives and others, the course does not presuppose their superiority and aims instead to encourage debates on the contradictions and potential solutions to the current developmental impasse, while also acknowledging the powerful interests and formidable structural constraints that would need to be confronted in order to bring about any substantial change to the global economy.
During the first block of the course we will discuss a selection of critical appraisals of mainstream development. In the second block, we will explore different alternative models of development emerging from a variety of settings, including both proponents of reforms to the capitalist system and calls for more profound transformation, or state-based proposals versus others that seek to bypass institutions altogether. In the seminars, we will first introduce the broader context for a critique or a development alternative, to later discuss in detail a key text that allows us to deepen the debate.
Course objectives
The course encourages a critical assessment of preponderant models of development and explores development alternatives that could potentially inspire change. Participants in the course will acquire the following:
ability to critically assess mainstream discourses and practices of development.
knowledge of critiques of and alternatives to mainstream development.
ability to critically evaluate readings, and in particular assumptions of what development means.
discussion, presentation and essay writing skills.
Timetable
See schedule
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Course load
Total: 280 hours
24 hours of classes (attendance is compulsory).
120 hours of reading and class preparation (10 hours per week over 12 weeks).
18 hours to prepare for reading discussions (each student will be in charge of one reading).
18 hours to prepare for final presentation.
100 hours to prepare for final paper.
The number of hours is of course an estimation. Students are expected to organize their time and complete all required coursework in a way that best suits their abilities.
Assessment method
Paper
Dicussion
Presentation
Attendance
Weighing
Final paper of 4,000 words (50%)
Discussion of an assigned reading (20%)
Final presentation based on final paper (15%)
Attendance and participation (15%)
The final mark is established by determining the weighted average, with all three assessment components needing to reach a sufficient grade in order to pass. The resit is only available to students whose final mark is insufficient.
Registration
Via uSis
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch.
Blackboard
Course information will be accessible via Blackboard before the start of the course.
Reading list
Required and recommended readings will be announced on Blackboard before the start of the course. Check Blackboard for timely information.