SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Canada & the "Third World"

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the field of development studies, the history of global inequality, and histories of alternative development strategies. Case studies of Canada's ties to the so-called “Third World” include missionaries, military, business, and aid. Canadian colonialism over First Nations peoples introduces basic issues in Indigenous Studies.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the fall/winter term
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of developmental thinking as an explanatory framework of development and underdevelopment in the "Third World";
- Describe the usefulness of employing interdisciplinary approaches to better engage the problems of development and underdevelopment;
- Explain the competing perspectives on development and how they are connected to particular periods, political interests and concerns; and
- Identify key issues in contemporary development, including Canada's place in international development.
Topics
Section 1 | Introduction to the Course and the Idea of Development |
Section 2 | Theories of Development: Modernization to Neo-Liberalism |
Section 3 | Rethinking Development: Gender, Orientalism and Post Development |
Section 4 | Global Legacies of Colonialism |
Section 5 | Legacies of Colonialism in Canada |
Section 6 | After Colonialism - The Development Project |
Section 7 | From Development to Globalization |
Section 8 | Globalization in Practice |
Section 9 | Globalization in Crisis |
Section 10 | Canadian Foreign Policy and Peacekeeping |
Section 11 | Development Assistance, NGOs, and the Evolution of Canadian Foreign Aid Policy |
Section 12 | Where do we go from here? Re Imagining Development |
Description
To achieve this, 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?
Terms
Evaluation
10% - Discussion Activities
5% - Theories of Development - Group Chart and Infographic
2.5% - Theories of Development - GRASP (Group Assessment of Self and Peers)
7.5 - Term Paper
25% - Proctored Midterm Exam
7% - Research Paper - Proposal
13% - Research Paper - Final
2.5% - Case Study - Group Report
2.5% - Case Study - GRASP (Group Assessment of Self and Peers)
25% - Proctored Final Exam
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Live Sessions
This course has required and optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
Final Examination
Students must write their exams on the day and time scheduled by the University. Do not schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period.
Examity Statement
When you enroll in this online course, you are agreeing to write tests, quizzes, and block theory exams online with remote proctoring. The benefits of this are that you can complete the exam in your own space using your own computer. For each assessment, you will be using exam software developed at Queen’s, which is integrated with an online proctoring system. To ensure a successful exam experience, you are responsible for ensuring that your computer meets the Evaluation and Grading Policies.
8 minimum technical requirements, as described on the course web page, and that you are located in an area with sufficient high speed internet at the time of the exam. You will be given the opportunity to practice the exam initiation process in advance of any quizzes, tests or exams that require the use of this software
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook
- Development and Social Change: Global Perspective (Sixth Edition) by Philip McMichael, ISBN 9781452275901.
- Canada and the Third World: Overlapping Histories, edited by Dubinsky, Mills, and Rutherford, ISBN 9781442606876.
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend, on average, about 10 hours a week (240 hours total) on the course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
Letter Grade | Grade Point |
A+ | 4.30 |
A | 4.00 |
A- | 3.70 |
B+ | 3.30 |
B | 3.00 |
B- | 2.70 |
C+ | 2.30 |
C | 2.00 |
C- | 1.70 |
D+ | 1.30 |
D | 1.00 |
D- | 0.70 |
F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.