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Mark Moran
This course is part of the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program. In order to get the most out of this course, we recommend that you have experience working in the development sector or a strong interest in this area. We also recommend that you complete the other three courses that make up the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program: Leaders in Global Development, The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development, and Adaptive Leadership in Development.
Read more
This course is part of the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program. In order to get the most out of this course, we recommend that you have experience working in the development sector or a strong interest in this area. We also recommend that you complete the other three courses that make up the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program: Leaders in Global Development, The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development, and Adaptive Leadership in Development.
Read more
This course is part of the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program. In order to get the most out of this course, we recommend that you have experience working in the development sector or a strong interest in this area. We also recommend that you complete the other three courses that make up the Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters program: Leaders in Global Development, The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development, and Adaptive Leadership in Development.
There is a vast array of different arguments about what development is and how development can be achieved. A leader in development must be able to understand, appreciate, evaluate and broker between differing and sometimes conflicting perspectives and ideas.
In this course you will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, while being introduced to some of the contemporary debates and current challenges facing development practice. The wide variety of topics covered will also give you a sense of the diversity of issues that development encapsulates. Learners are encouraged to reflect on their own ideas and practice, and share their perspectives with other learners and the course team.
Each module in the course focuses on a contemporary topic in the development field. Within each module you will engage with key readings that argue different perspectives on the same topic. Interviews with the author complement these readings. Some of the authors we interview include Philip McMichael (Cornell University), Doug Porter (Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University), Blessings Chinsinga (The University of Malawi), Naila Kabeer (London School of Economics and Political Science), and Rachel Glennerster, (The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, MIT).
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/otcmwi/critical
What's inside
Learning objectives
- To identify the key arguments in academic papers• to identify different methodological and conceptual approaches to research• to compare and contrast different perspectives in development• to evaluate the merits of different arguments• to apply these different perspectives to practice and discuss their implications
- All graded assessment will be graded and have insightful feedback for learners to further refine their new knowledge and skills.
- To identify the key arguments in academic papers• to identify different methodological and conceptual approaches to research• to compare and contrast different perspectives in development• to evaluate the merits of different arguments• to apply these different perspectives to practice and discuss their implications
- All graded assessment will be graded and have insightful feedback for learners to further refine their new knowledge and skills.
Syllabus
MODULE 1: Sustainable developmentThe term 'sustainable development' is now ubiquitous in development and wider political spheres. However, what this term actually means and the path to achieving ecological sustainability remains contested.
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Syllabus
MODULE 1: Sustainable developmentThe term 'sustainable development' is now ubiquitous in development and wider political spheres. However, what this term actually means and the path to achieving ecological sustainability remains contested.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Applies to a wide variety of employment backgrounds and industries, making it valuable for many learners
Includes interviews with prominent figures in development
Provides key learning objectives and clearly explains the skills and knowledge students should gain
Instructor has experience in the field
Course discusses contemporary topics in the development field
Requires students to critically analyze different perspectives
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Reviews summary
Critical look at development perspectives
According to learners, this course provides a deep dive into contemporary development debates, offering a broad range of perspectives. Many found the readings and interviews to be excellent and thought-provoking, challenging their existing understanding. While the course is praised for its intellectual rigor and relevance to critical thinking in the field, some reviewers note the material can be quite dense and theoretically focused, potentially requiring a significant time commitment. It is seen as highly relevant for those seeking to understand the complexities and different viewpoints within global development.
Strong emphasis on theory over practice.
"The course is heavily theoretical, which is fine for understanding perspectives, but I wished for more practical application examples."
"It's great for understanding the debates, but if you're looking for hands-on tools for development practice, this is less focused on that."
"While critical theory is important, a bit more connection to on-the-ground realities would have been beneficial."
Requires critical thinking and effort.
"This course is not easy; it requires you to engage deeply with the material and think critically about ingrained assumptions."
"It challenged my perspectives significantly, which is exactly what I hoped for from a course titled 'Critical Perspectives'."
"Be prepared for a rigorous intellectual workout; the content demands serious engagement."
Provided valuable context and insight.
"Hearing directly from the authors of the papers added a layer of understanding and context that lectures alone couldn't provide."
"The interviews were insightful and helped clarify some of the more complex ideas presented in the readings."
"The interviews with experts were a highlight, bridging the gap between theory and practice or research."
Offers a comprehensive look at diverse topics.
"The course covers a really broad range of topics within development, which gave me a much better sense of the field's complexity."
"Each module felt like a deep dive into a specific, critical issue, providing perspectives I hadn't considered before."
"I appreciated the breadth of the subjects covered; it was a great overview of critical issues."
Excellent selection of thought-provoking materials.
"The readings were exceptional. Challenging but incredibly insightful and central to understanding the module topics."
"I found the selection of academic papers to be excellent, exposing me to key arguments and scholars in the field."
"The curated readings really pushed my thinking and provided diverse viewpoints on each issue."
Requires significant time commitment.
"The volume and density of the readings were quite high; I found myself spending much more time than anticipated."
"While the content is valuable, it's very dense and requires a substantial time investment to fully absorb."
"There is a lot of information packed into each module, making it feel quite challenging to keep up."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Critical Development Perspectives with these
activities:
Connect with professionals in the development field
Show steps
Establish connections with experienced professionals to gain insights and guidance.
Show steps
-
Identify potential mentors who work in the development field
-
Reach out and express interest in connecting
-
Meet with or communicate with the mentors to learn from their experiences
Review prerequisites
Show steps
Review foundational knowledge of leadership and development to prepare for the course.
Browse courses on
Leadership
Show steps
-
Study notes from previous courses
-
Read introductory development texts or articles
-
Review case studies of successful development interventions
Follow online tutorials on research methods or development tools
Show steps
Enhance skills by completing online tutorials on specific topics.
Show steps
-
Identify online tutorials aligned with the course topics
-
Complete the tutorials and practice the techniques demonstrated
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group or online forum for the course
Show steps
Connect with peers to discuss course topics and enhance understanding.
Show steps
-
Find a study group or online forum related to the course
-
Join the group and participate in discussions
-
Ask questions, share insights, and collaborate with peers
Engage in development projects or initiatives
Show steps
Volunteer to gain practical experience and perspectives on development issues.
Show steps
-
Identify opportunities to volunteer with development organizations
-
Contact the organizations and express interest
-
Participate in volunteer activities
-
Reflect on the experience and its relevance to the course
Analyze development policies and strategies
Show steps
Practice analyzing development policies and strategies to strengthen critical thinking skills.
Show steps
-
Identify the key objectives and assumptions of a development policy
-
Critically evaluate the evidence supporting the policy
-
Analyze the potential impacts of the policy
Develop a research proposal on a development topic
Show steps
Create a research proposal to refine research skills and deepen understanding of development issues.
Show steps
-
Identify a research question and develop a hypothesis
-
Conduct a literature review
-
Design a research methodology
-
Write a research proposal
-
Present the proposal to receive feedback
Connect with professionals in the development field
Show steps
Establish connections with experienced professionals to gain insights and guidance.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify potential mentors who work in the development field
- Reach out and express interest in connecting
- Meet with or communicate with the mentors to learn from their experiences
Review prerequisites
Show steps
Review foundational knowledge of leadership and development to prepare for the course.
Browse courses on
Leadership
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Study notes from previous courses
- Read introductory development texts or articles
- Review case studies of successful development interventions
Follow online tutorials on research methods or development tools
Show steps
Enhance skills by completing online tutorials on specific topics.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify online tutorials aligned with the course topics
- Complete the tutorials and practice the techniques demonstrated
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group or online forum for the course
Show steps
Connect with peers to discuss course topics and enhance understanding.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a study group or online forum related to the course
- Join the group and participate in discussions
- Ask questions, share insights, and collaborate with peers
Engage in development projects or initiatives
Show steps
Volunteer to gain practical experience and perspectives on development issues.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify opportunities to volunteer with development organizations
- Contact the organizations and express interest
- Participate in volunteer activities
- Reflect on the experience and its relevance to the course
Analyze development policies and strategies
Show steps
Practice analyzing development policies and strategies to strengthen critical thinking skills.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the key objectives and assumptions of a development policy
- Critically evaluate the evidence supporting the policy
- Analyze the potential impacts of the policy
Develop a research proposal on a development topic
Show steps
Create a research proposal to refine research skills and deepen understanding of development issues.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a research question and develop a hypothesis
- Conduct a literature review
- Design a research methodology
- Write a research proposal
- Present the proposal to receive feedback
Career center
Learners who complete Critical Development Perspectives will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Development Economist
Development Economist
Development Economists typically carry out research to understand the processes that perpetuate poverty in developing nations, and use their knowledge to suggest and implement policies at the national and international levels, which may help to alleviate poverty. This course is designed to help students develop the critical thinking and analytical skills required to identify and understand the causes of poverty in developing countries. It also features interviews with development economists Philip McMichael, from Cornell University, and Blessings Chinsinga from the University of Malawi.
Program Manager
Program Manager
Program Managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of development programs. This course would be highly useful for aspiring Program Managers, as it offers a critical examination of the challenges and opportunities, as well as the different perspectives and arguments, in contemporary development practice. The course content on sustainable development, gender, faith, and development, will be particularly valuable. It will offer insights on how to manage programs that aim to address these issues, and can help you to emerge as a well-rounded Program Manager with a nuanced understanding of current development trends.
Policy Advisor
Policy Advisor
Policy Advisors play a key role in informing policy decisions related to development. They are employed by a range of organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. This course is designed to help students develop the critical thinking and analytical skills required to assess and evaluate development policies and programs. It also features interviews with leading policy experts, including Naila Kabeer from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Rachel Glennerster from the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT.
Research Analyst
Research Analyst
Research Analysts in development conduct research on a variety of development topics, and provide evidence-based recommendations to inform policy and practice. They are employed by a range of organizations, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and international organizations. This course is ideal for those who aspire to become Research Analysts, as it helps to build a foundation in critical thinking, research methods, and data analysis techniques. The course also features interviews with leading researchers in the field, including Doug Porter from the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University.
International Development Manager
International Development Manager
International Development Managers are responsible for the planning and implementation of development programs in developing countries. They work with local partners to ensure that programs are aligned with local needs and priorities. This course is designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge required to manage international development programs. This includes an understanding of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists design and implement systems to track and assess the progress of development programs. They use this information to improve program effectiveness and ensure that programs are achieving their intended outcomes. This course may be useful for aspiring Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists, as it provides an overview of the different approaches to measuring and evaluating development programs.
Social Development Specialist
Social Development Specialist
Social Development Specialists work to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. They develop and implement programs that address a variety of social issues, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and healthcare. This course may be useful for aspiring Social Development Specialists, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Community Development Officer
Community Development Officer
Community Development Officers work to improve the quality of life in communities. They work with local residents to identify and address community needs. This course may be useful for aspiring Community Development Officers, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Humanitarian Aid Worker
Humanitarian Aid Worker
Humanitarian Aid Workers provide assistance to people who have been affected by natural disasters, war, or other crises. They work with a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. This course may be useful for aspiring Humanitarian Aid Workers, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help organizations to reduce their environmental impact and improve their social and economic performance. They work with organizations to develop and implement sustainability strategies. This course may be useful for aspiring Sustainability Consultants, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on sustainable development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility programs. They work with businesses to ensure that their operations are aligned with social and environmental values. This course may be useful for aspiring Corporate Social Responsibility Managers, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants help organizations to reduce their environmental impact. They work with organizations to develop and implement environmental management systems. This course may be useful for aspiring Environmental Consultants, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on sustainable development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Urban Planner
Urban Planner
Urban Planners design and implement plans for the development of cities and towns. They work with local governments and communities to ensure that development is sustainable and meets the needs of the community. This course may be useful for aspiring Urban Planners, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on sustainable development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Health Promotion Specialist
Health Promotion Specialist
Health Promotion Specialists develop and implement programs to promote healthy behaviors and improve the health of communities. They work with a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and healthcare providers. This course may be useful for aspiring Health Promotion Specialists, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
Education Specialist
Education Specialist
Education Specialists develop and implement programs to improve the quality of education. They work with a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and schools. This course may be useful for aspiring Education Specialists, as it provides an overview of the different perspectives on development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in contemporary development practice.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/otcmwi/critical
Reading list
We've selected 41 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Critical Development Perspectives.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of the causes of poverty and offers a plan to end it. It valuable starting point for anyone studying development.
Classic in the field of development economics. Sen argues that development is not just about economic growth but also about expanding human capabilities.
Clear and concise introduction to economics. Chang provides a great overview of the basic economic principles, as well as the different schools of economic thought.
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Provides a roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals. Sachs outlines the challenges and opportunities in each of the key areas of sustainable development, including poverty reduction, environmental protection, and economic growth.
Explores the relationship between development and human freedom, arguing that development should be seen as a process of expanding people's capabilities and opportunities.
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Focuses on the poorest billion people in the world and argues that they need a different approach to development than the rest of the world.
Examines the Indian economy and its challenges. Sen argues that India's poverty is due to a number of factors, including inequality, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
Presents a groundbreaking approach to poverty alleviation, based on the concept of microfinance.
Save
An empirical analysis of the relationship between inequality and social outcomes. provides evidence of the negative consequences of inequality and the benefits of greater equality.
Critique of traditional development aid. Easterly argues that aid often does more harm than good.
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Argues that greater equality is essential for creating a more just and sustainable world. It presents evidence from around the world that shows how inequality is linked to a wide range of social problems.
Classic introduction to the history of economic thought. Heilbroner provides a clear and concise overview of the major economic thinkers, from Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes.
Save
Examines the Chinese model of development. Bell and Wang argue that China's success is due to its unique political system, which combines elements of meritocracy and democracy.
Examines the recent economic growth in Africa. Easterly argues that this growth is due to a number of factors, including improved governance, increased investment, and technological progress.
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Examines the recent economic boom in Latin America. Porter argues that this boom is due to a number of factors, including improved governance, increased investment, and increased trade.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the Sustainable Development Goals, including their history, targets, and indicators.
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Explores the historical and economic factors that have led to the success or failure of nations. Acemoglu and Robinson argue that the key to economic development is the creation of inclusive political and economic institutions.
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Is another critique of traditional development aid. Moyo argues that aid is not effective and that African countries should instead focus on developing their own economies.
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A analysis of the causes of poverty in the poorest countries and a proposal for a new approach to development. provides a framework for thinking about the challenges faced by the poorest countries and the policies that can help them to improve their economic performance.
Save
Argues that the world is getting better, not worse. Ridley presents evidence from around the world that shows how human progress is driven by innovation and technology.
A historical analysis of the development of the world economy and the challenges faced by developing countries. provides a framework for thinking about the long-term trends in development and the challenges faced by the developing world.
A report on the progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. provides a useful reference for information on the challenges faced by developing countries and the progress that has been made.
A collection of data on the economies of the world. provides a useful reference for information on the economic performance of different countries and the challenges they face.
A report on the state of the world's children. provides a useful reference for information on the challenges faced by children in developing countries and the progress that has been made.
A report on the state of human development in the world. provides a useful reference for information on the challenges faced by developing countries and the progress that has been made.
A report on the state of gender equality in the world. provides a useful reference for information on the challenges faced by women and girls in developing countries and the progress that has been made.
A report on the state of happiness in the world. provides a useful reference for information on the challenges faced by people in developing countries and the progress that has been made.
A report on the state of food security in the world. provides a useful reference for information on the challenges faced by people in developing countries and the progress that has been made.
Save
Memoir of Rubin's year-long experiment in happiness. Rubin tried out a variety of different activities and strategies to see what made her happy. Her findings provide insights into what makes people happy and how to create a more fulfilling life.
Save
Argues that the traditional carrot-and-stick approach to motivation is ineffective. Pink identifies three key elements of intrinsic motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
Argues that happiness is not simply a matter of feeling good. Seligman identifies five key elements of well-being: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.
Save
Explores the science of habit formation. Duhigg explains how habits work and how we can change them. His findings can be applied to a variety of areas of life, including personal development, health, and productivity.
Save
Argues that stress is not always bad. McGonigal explains how stress can be beneficial in small doses. She also provides strategies for coping with stress in a healthy way.
Explores the ethical dimensions of development, including the responsibilities of wealthy countries to poor countries.
Save
Explores the science of resilience. Southwick and Charney identify the factors that make some people more resilient than others. Their findings can help us to develop strategies for coping with stress, adversity, and trauma.
Save
Explores the importance of vulnerability. Brown argues that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. She provides strategies for living a more courageous and authentic life.
Explores the importance of self-acceptance. Brown argues that we need to let go of perfectionism and embrace our own unique strengths and weaknesses.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on gender and development.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on sustainable development.
This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research in sociology.
This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research in the social and behavioral sciences.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/otcmwi/critical
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Effort
10 to 12 hours per week for 11 weeks
Level
Advanced
Via
edX
Institution
The University of Queensland
Instructor
Mark Moran
Language
English
Transcript
English
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