MA Development Studies

MA Development Studies

The complex challenges of global poverty and development are making ever greater demands on those working in aid agencies, governments, NGOs and policy and research institutes. Meeting these challenges calls for creative development professionals who can apply and integrate critical thinking and practical experience from a wide range of perspectives, and can be innovative in seeking meaningful solutions.

Coming from diverse cultures and backgrounds and with a broad range of career histories, students who successfully complete the MA in Development Studies can expect to:

• Understand the main development theories, concepts and debates in their historical and contemporary context, and apply this knowledge in their professional work;
• Engage in an informed and critical way with professionals from diverse backgrounds concerned with development issues, in particular political science, economics, sociology and anthropology;
• Approach development problems with confidence and knowledge and have the ability to work collaboratively with others to identify solutions to global development challenges.

The MA or Masters programme is structured to provide coherence and integration with other masters programmes offered at IDS, allowing students to develop a degree of focus on a specific issue or theme.

During the three terms there are two compulsory courses, three core courses which students may select, and one or two shorter options. These are taught through lectures, seminars and group tutorials. Students write either a 10,000 or 20,000 word dissertation under the supervision of an IDS faculty member. A range of Professional Development Skills workshops are also offered.

The IDS faculty are leading researchers in a number of development fields and the programme is designed so that students benefit from knowledge of the very latest research and research methodologies. IDS provides a small, close-knit and supportive learning environment that encourages sharing of diverse perspectives, ideologies, disciplines and approaches to research.

Autumn Term

All students take Ideas in Development and Policy, Evidence and Practice and choose one of the following two core options:

• Introduction to Economics for Development
• Sociology, Anthropology and the Development Conundrum.

Professional Skills for Development workshops will run throughout the term.

Spring Term

Students take two courses from the following list of core options: (NB: only one course from each of the other MAs)

• Economics for Development (MA Development Studies)
• Global Governance (MA Governance and Development)
• Democracy and Development (MA Governance and Development)
• Public Management and Organisational Development (MA Governance and Development)
• Science, Knowledge and the Politics of Development (MA Science, Society and Development)
• Science and Policy Processes: Issues in Health, Environment and Agriculture (MA Science, Society and Development)
• Poverty and Inequality (MA Poverty and Development)
• Vulnerability and Social Protection (MA Poverty and Development)
• Politics of Implementing Gender and Development (MA Gender and Development)
• Key Issues in Gender and Development (MA Gender and Development)
• Empowering Society (MA Participation, Power and Social Change)
• Globalisation and Inequalities (MA Globalisation and Development)
• Professional Skills for Development workshops will run through the term.

Summer Term

Students take two half-length option courses and write a 10,000 word dissertation. Courses very from year to year, but may include:

• Decentralisation and Local Government.
• Governance of Violent Conflict and (In)security.
• Management of Public Finance.
• Politics of Pro-Poor Policies.
• Rethinking Health Systems.
• Aid and Poverty: The Political Economy of International Development Assistance.
• Analysing Poverty and Vulnerability.
• Climate Change and Disasters.
• Post-Conflict and Very Poor Countries: Development Challenges.
• Doing Gender and Development.
• Reflective Practice and Social Change.
• Competing in the Global Economy.
• China in Development.
• Professional Skills for Development workshops will also be offered this term.

Assessment

Progress is assessed through term papers as well as shorter essays, practical coursework, individual or group student presentations, and in some cases examinations. Students write a final dissertation of 10,000 or 20,000 words, based upon a substantial piece of secondary work and, in some cases, short periods of field work.