DEVS 100/6.0 Online: Canada and the “Third World”

This course is available to both Queen’s and non-Queen’s students. Non-Queen’s students (including interest students, visiting students, and new online degree students) must first apply for admission. The following is presented for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

Instructor

Dr. Mark Hostetler Learn more about the instructor...
E-mail: hostetle@queensu.ca

Course Description

This online global development studies course introduces basic theoretical concepts of development studies, the history of global inequality, and short histories of alternative development strategies. Case studies of Canada's ties to the so-called third world will include missionaries, military, business, and aid. Canadian colonialism over First Nations peoples will introduce basic issues in Aboriginal Studies.

Course Objectives

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the field of development studies. It provides students with the initial tools necessary to engage with difficult questions about global development.

• What is the so called Third World, Fourth World, Global South or “majority world”?
• Why are some countries so rich while others are so poor?
• Why are there seemingly intractable pockets of poverty within otherwise wealthy communities?
• What is development, anyway, and how do we get there?

To begin to engage these questions, the course examines the core perspectives and debates in development thinking and practice mainly since 1950s. We start with analysis of the evolution of development theory and practice, contextualized historically. Using case studies from different parts of the world, we then examine the impacts that key theories about ‘creating development’ have had when put into practice.

The latter part of the course focuses specifically on various aspects of Canada’s relationship to the “Third World.”  Canada’s mixed record as a colonial power over First Nations peoples will also introduce students to basic issues in Aboriginal Studies. From this basis, we can reflect upon the complexities, ambiguities and contradictions found beneath popular stereotypes of Canadian “niceness” or support for “Third World” aspirations. What choices might Canadian citizens take to shape their relationship with the “Third World” in the future?

The course will include weekly tutorial interaction through Moodle-based discussion groups designed to allow students to analyze and reflect on key topics covered in the course with smaller groups of their peers. The course will also make substantial use of documentary films to supplement and illustrate the materials covered in course readings and online course notes.

On completing this full credit course, it is expected that students will have a good understanding of:

1.	The main perspectives and debates in development thinking in order to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses as explanatory frameworks of development and underdevelopment in the "Third World";
2.	The usefulness of employing inter disciplinary approaches to better engage the problems of development and underdevelopment;
3.	The competing perspectives on development and how they are connected to particular periods, political interests and concerns;
4.	Key issues in contemporary development, including Canada's place in international development;
5.	The academic skills needed to succeed in development studies; including tutorial participation, essay and exam writing, and the presentation of complex ideas and arguments.

Course Topics
Key Dates

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More information:

• Computer Requirements and Internet Access
• Moodle, Our Online Learning Environment 
• Academic Integrity
• Evaluation
• Suggested Time Commitment
• Required Material