Sociology of Third World Development is a later-year 6 credit-point course in Sociology within the School of Social Sciences. It is also a core course within the BA (International Relations) and can also be included in a Development Studies, Political Science, Environmental Resources Program or Political Economy major.
The course surveys various sociological perspectives on a wide range of issues relating to global change and development. It is divided into three components: theories of development; resistance and development; and globalisation and development.
The first section introduces some key terms and definitions before charting the history of the concept of development from the sociological classics through to the 1980s. This theoretical journey will highlight the relationship between theory, politics, ideology and economic change.
Using a variety of case studies from Russia to Central America, the second section examines resistance to social and political inequalities and their relationship to social change and development. This section explores a number of explanations for revolutionary change and focuses on the global-local nexus of specific rebellions, revolutions and revolutionary movements.
The final section draws upon contemporary critiques of development, progress and the enlightenment project - from environmentalism, postcolonialism and postmodernism - and examines the concept of globalisation. The utility of these approaches and concepts will be assessed through examining a range of contemporary issues, ranging from the advent of the Newly Industrialising Countries (NICs), global consumerism, famine, the Millennium Development Goals, post-conflict societies and global social movements.
Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to take these issues and apply them to their own specific fields of interest in any aspect of global development.
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