Human Development
Lecture 1: Course Content Orientation
Prepared by,
Mohammad Saeed Islam
Lecturer
Department of Development Studies
Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)
Course Description
• The problematic nature of development:
• The term development has emerged extensively after the World War II
which can also be marked as the years of decolonization
• Ethnocentric: development reflects the view that Westernization is the
only worthwhile and desirable direction (e.g. Modernization theory,
Linear Stages Theory, Structural Change Models)
• Industrialization, Technological Advancement, Economic Growth (GDP),
Rise in Per Capita Income, Eradication of Poverty, Increased Trade,
Positive Balance of Payments, Availability of Capital are some common
indicators of understanding the development
Course Description
• Defining a underdeveloped country: is income the only means and
ends of development?
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Low level of income
Mass poverty
Lack of capital formation
Heavy population pressure
Agricultural backwardness
Unemployment
Unexploited natural resources
Shortage of technology and skills
Lack of infrastructural development
Lack of industrialization
Lack of market
Course Description
• Alternative approach: Human being is the means and Human
wellbeing is the ends of development
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides only a partial view of progress
than human wellbeing
• Because the human beings are the agents, beneficiaries and adjudicators
of progress, a major paradigm shift had taken place in the development
debate of 1970s considered alternative focuses to go beyond GDP.
• Later, in 1980s, the debate on conceptualizing development had extended
to the emancipation of human by ensuring freedom, enlarging choices and
increasing capabilities.
• Since 1990, Human Development has remained at the core of
development framework and a yearly report has been being published
under the auspices of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Aim of the Course
• The objective of this course is to explore the insights of the Human
Development paradigm and the recent discourses in order to
conceptualize development
• Differentiate development from a liner viewpoint of economic growth
• Identify and understand the most important concepts and ideas relevant
to human development paradigm
• Critically analyze the idea of development from an alternative perspective
based upon human well-being
• Comprehend policy relevant issues of Human Development
Teaching method and assessment system
• Lecture, Reading Materials (e.g. Books, Articles and Reports), Term
Paper, Assignment, Presentation, Quiz and Exams
• In class formative assessment
• Summative assessment system:
Events
Weightage
Semester Final Exam
50%
Midterm Exam
20%
Class Tests (Total Four)
10%
Assignments and Case Studies (Individual/Group) including Presentation(s)
05%
Term Paper (Individual) including Presentation(s)
10%
Class Attendance and Participation
05%
Total
100%
Lessons of the course
• Introduction to Human Development
• Human Capital, Human Development and Human Capability
• Shifting Fashions in Development Dialogue
• Economic Growth and Human Development- Part 1
• Economic Growth and Human Development- Part 2
• The Perspective of Freedom
• The Human Development and Capability Approach
• Politics of Poverty Reduction
• Poverty as Capability Deprivation
• Markets, State, Institution and Social Opportunity
• The Importance of Democracy
Lessons of the course
• Women’s Agency and Social Change
• Population, Food and Freedom
• Culture and Human Rights
• Social Choice and Individual Behavior
• Idea of Justice- 1
• Idea of Justice- 2
• Education and Human Development
• Health and Human Development
• Unemployment
• Child labor and Youth Unemployment
• Public Policy and Human Development
Lessons of the course
• Bangladesh’s Economy, Inequality, Unemployment and Development
• Education Policy of Bangladesh and Human Development
• Health Policy of Bangladesh and Human Development
• Gender Perspective in Bangladesh and Development
• Choices that shaped the Human Development Reports
• Human Development and Different Indices
• Review of the Classes
• Presentation-I
• Presentation-II
Related documents
• Green Book
• Supplementary document will be provided to the students