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Wellbeing and Human Development

Postgraduate

In Bath ()

£ 9,250 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Postgraduate

  • Duration

    5 Years

To provide a systematic understanding of the theories and concepts underlying the discourses of wellbeing and human development. To review systematically and critically the literature on contemporary issues in wellbeing and human development. To critically evaluate public policy from the perspective of human wellbeing. To analyze critically and rigorously the ethical underpinnings of development policy and practice. To enable students to identify and pursue their own research questions, and research and develop original arguments in specialist areas of their choosing. Suitable for: Recent graduates who are interested in poverty, both globally and in the UK, and international issues and who are seeking a deeper conceptual and ethical understanding of this new discourse than is offered by conventional courses in 'development studies'. Professionals working in development policy and practice for whom the discourse of well-being is becoming increasingly relevant, and who would like to deepen their understanding of human wellbeing from an interdisciplinary perspective and with a strong policy focus.

About this course

* A good first degree in a social science subject, OR
* an equivalent degree in another subject, together with substantial relevant work experience.

Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme. Marginal cases are often dealt with at interview, and it is not uncommon for relatively inexperienced students to be asked to defer entry...

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2021

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Subjects

  • International
  • Perspective
  • Social Policy
  • Public

Course programme

Overview

This programme is multi-disciplinary and combines economic, political, sociological and anthropological analyses of the concepts of wellbeing and its relevance for international development with insights from philosophy and psychology.

This programme has been developed to reflect the increasing interest in ‘wellbeing' from academic and policy circles in both developed and developing countries. The programme moves the debate on international development from a debate about ‘development' to a debate on wellbeing and social justice and carries forward the insights of the ESRC research group Wellbeing in Developing Countries. The programme provides students with the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of wellbeing and its policy implications and develops conceptual tools for the critical analysis of contemporary development debates from a wellbeing perspective.

The MSc in Wellbeing and Human Development is therefore distinctive from existing degrees in that:

  • It deals explicitly with conceptual and normative aspects of international development and social policy arising from the wellbeing discourse.
  • It approaches international development with perspectives from psychology and ethics.
  • It enables insights from ‘development studies' to be brought to the context of developed countries as a means of addressing the analytical divide that has existed between the study of ‘developing' and ‘developed' nations.
  • It analyses the specific aspects of ‘globalisation' which relate to social justice and the struggle of each human being to attain a decent level of wellbeing.

Programme Structure

The University operates a credit system by which candidates have to accrue a sufficient number of credits before they can be awarded a specific qualification. MSc requires 90 credits. Each unit has a specific credit-rating, which is achieved by passing the relevant assesments. Unit options selection should be made to ensure sufficient credits are achieved.

Compulsory Units

  • Wellbeing assessment in public policy and development practice
  • International development and poverty
  • Wellbeing & human development 1: concepts, measurement & policy
  • Research skills and dissertation preparation for international development, wellbeing and policy analysis
  • Sustainable development livelihoods and wellbeing
  • Wellbeing & human development 2: development ethics
  • Wellbeing & human development: masters dissertation

Optional Units

  • Principles & skills of social research
  • Comparative European social policy
  • Globalisation 1: political sociology of globalisation
  • International policy analysis 1
  • Governing contemporary societies
  • Economics for international development
  • Sociology & social anthropology of development
  • Policy & politics of developing countries
  • Wellbeing & human development: extended essay
  • Director of Studies approved unit (s)
  • South Asia regional research specialism
  • Africa regional research specialism
  • Latin America regional research specialism
  • South East Asia regional research specialism
  • Critical issues in social development
  • Globalisation & economic insecurity: social policy challenges
  • Comparative research methods
  • Management of development (MID)
  • Globalisation 2: political economy of globalisation
  • World politics: conflict, security & development
  • International policy analysis 2
  • Wellbeing & human development: extended essay
  • Wellbeing assessment research project

Other units subject to agreement with the Director of Studies, individual units may be withdrawn at any time, subject to the discretion of the Director of Studies and Unit Convener.

Dedication

Up to 5 years, part-time.

Entry Requirements

  • A good first degree in a social science subject, OR
  • an equivalent degree in another subject, together with substantial relevant work experience.

Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme. Marginal cases are often dealt with at interview, and it is not uncommon for relatively inexperienced students to be asked to defer entry. The minimum non-graduate qualifications acceptable for admission to this course are:

1. A relevant postgraduate diploma or Higher National Diploma passed at the appropriate level.
2. A relevant professional qualification together with papers passed at an appropriate standard if required by the appropriate Head of Group.
3. Extended and responsible experience in a relevant field together with authorship of papers of an acceptable academic standard.

Minimum English requirements

  • IELTS 7.0 (with not less than 6.5 in each of the four components).
  • TOEFL 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test) with a score of not less than 4 in TWE or 100 (internet-based test) with not less than 24 in each of the components.

Additional information

Payment options: Home/EU Students £2200 Overseas Students £5500
Comments: Students may be able to undertake an internship, either in the UK or overseas, during the time they prepare their dissertations.
Contact person: Dr. S. Johnson

Wellbeing and Human Development

£ 9,250 + VAT