International development

Designing Alternatives for Development

Module code: 010IDS
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

This module aims to equip students with skills to design development projects of sustainability and social justice within and beyond development institutions. First, the module examines drivers of change within current development agendas and policies. Second, by deploying decolonial, feminist, queer and diverse economies approaches, it explores multiple ways to transform relations of production, finance, social reproduction, care and common resource management with case studies from the Global South and North. The structure consists of lectures and interactive seminars where students are invited to design concrete development policies and alternatives in real-life scenarios through creative critical thinking and problem-solving.

Module learning outcomes

• Understand contemporary critical theories of development informing alternatives
• Have a knowledge of alternative policies and practices of development transforming relations of production, social reproduction and exchange in the Global South and North
• Be aware of challenges and possibilities of enacting positive change within and beyond existing development institutions
• Develop the skills to design alternative development policies and projects of sustainability and social justice