PS3510 INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT
Sunday/Wednesday 11:30 – 12:45
Instructor: S. JavedMaswood
Email Contact: javedmaswood@aucegypt.edu
Office: HUSS 2008
Introduction: Development studies is an interdisciplinary field of social science encompassing
sociology, human geography, cultural studies, and historical and political processes. The
meaning of ‘development’ in this context is the enhancement of individual and social wellbeing
in developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America. The course introduces
development theories and ideologies, colonization, industrialization, globalization, dependency,
rural development, urbanization, migration, gender, health, education, children, indigenous
peoples and environment.
Assessment: Assessment for the course will be based on class participation, an essay and two exams.
The essay must be written as a research paper and include full and appropriate referencing. The
following is the assessment schedule:
Participation
10 per cent
Essay
40 per cent
Mid Term
20 per cent
Final
30 per cent
Please be aware that plagiarism is a serious offense and will lead to disciplinary action. Any item you
submit for assessment must be your own work. Please do not cite online sources that have not been
peer reviewed. It is best if you rely only on journals and books for inspiration.
Lecture Outline and Readings
Lecture 1
Introduction to the course
Lecture 2
Meaning of Economic Development
 Transition from Rural To Urban economies
 Adaptation of New Technologies
 Improved Living Conditions
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 2.
Lecture 3
The Problem Contextualized: Colonialism, post-colonialism and Development
 From a Flat Earth to a Divided World
Lectures 4 & 5
Development theories and ideologies
 Development in Liberal and Marxist ideologies
 Engines of Growth
 Failure of Development
 Success of East Asia
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 3.
Lecture 6
Trade and Development
 Development and LIEO
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 12.
Lectures 7&8
Globalization, Development and Dependency
 Dependency and Dependent Development
 The Promise and Pitfall of Globalization
Lecture 9
Population Change, Urbanization and Development
 Changing distribution of populations
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 6.
Lecture 10
Rural Development in Developing Countries
 The Green Revolution
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 7 and 9.
Lecture 11
International Migration, Identity and Employment
 Economic Refugees
Lecture 12
Lecture 13
Health, Education and Development
 Human Longevity and Development
 Pharmaceutical companies and R&D strategies
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 8.
MID TERM EXAMINATION
Lecture 14
Culture and Development: Indigenous Peoples and Development
 Development as Cultural Convergence: The threat of globalization
Lectures 15& 16
Poverty, Gender and Development
 Development as gendered outcome
Lecture 17
Children and Development
 ILO and Child Labor
Lecture 18& 19
Environment and Development
 Development and its trade-offs. China as an example
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 10.
Lecture 20
Development and Governance: International Aid Agencies & NGOs
 Foreign Aid and Development
 Role of NGOs
Lecture 21
Debt and Development
Read: Todaro, M. and Stephen Smith, 10th Edition, chapter 13.