Critical Development Perspectives from edX

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).

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.

MODULE 2: South-South development cooperationDevelopment aid, as traditionally understood, was provided by the wealthy countries of the global North to countries of the global South. These aid transfers often had certain conditionalities attached and were underpinned by particular political agendas. The aid landscape is, however, changing.

MODULE 3: Gender, faith and developmentWhat is the role of faith and religion in development? Can faith and religion provide a platform for progressive social and political change, particularly with regard to gender?

MODULE 4: The military in developmentWhat role can, and should, the military play in development? Can it play a complementary role or do the differences in mandate mean that they are incompatible?

MODULE 5: Elites in developmentThe role that elites can and should play in development is contested.

MODULE 6: Downward accountability in governanceAchieving downward social accountability is an important part of building sustainable institutions. How can downward social accountability be created?

MODULE 7: Input subsidies for food securityEnsuring that there is sufficient food for nourishment of Earth's growing population is a key concern for development.

MODULE 8: MicrofinanceMicrofinance, popularised by Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, was at one timeconsidered to be a highly effective approach to poverty alleviation. However, since then impact evaluations of micro-finance programs have produced mixed conclusions about what micro-finance can achieve. This module investigates the merits of micro-finance and asks 'what can micro-finance programs actually achieve'?

MODULE 9: Impact measurement for developmentAccurately measuring the impact of development programs is vital for ensuring that the programs are actually working to improve the lives of people on the ground. So how do we measure the impact of development programs?

MODULE 10: Indigenous people 's inequality and disadvantageWhat are some of the ways researchers and advocates analyse Indigenous people's disadvantage and inequality? Is disadvantage and inequality historically entrenched? How does the way that''agency' is conceptualised impact on understandings of Indigenous peoples' disadvantage and inequality?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

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

Career center

Learners who complete Critical Development Perspectives will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Development Economist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Advisor

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Development 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Officer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Humanitarian Aid Worker

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Promotion 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Specialist