Rethinking Development

Offered By: CEC via Swayam

Course Description

Overview

The course "Rethinking Development" aims to sociologically examine the complexities of the process of development as it unfolded in the societies of the developing world. It explores specific issues of development such as modernisation, poverty, inequality, underdevelopment; as well contemporary concerns such as capability, decentralization, displacement, gender, participation and sustainable development. The course reviews the major debates on development from two important theoretical perspectives, i.e. modernization theory and dependency theory. It also highlights the post-development as well as the world system perspectives of development.Course ObjectiveThe broad objective of the course is to provide the students with a comprehensive conceptual, theoretical and empirical background to the process of development. The course offers a broad overview of the way development is conceptualized and contested in social sciences literature.Course learning outcomes  After completion of the course, the students will be able to:Explainthe historical trajectories and contemporary concerns of development.Differentiate between different approaches of development and illustrate the linkages between development and modernisationDiscuss the major theoretical perspectives and conceptual categories in sociology of developmentAssess the contemporary development paradigm and identify its major concernsDevelop a critical thinking regarding the concept of development and its implications for our societyDemonstrate in-depth knowledge on recent debates on development focusing on human development and sustainability

Syllabus

UNIT 1: Unpacking Development (3 weeks – 9 Modules)

Locating the idea and origin of development
Meaning of development
Development: The Concept & its Critique
Social Justice Approach to Development
Rights based approach to Development
Development with Dignity
Social Development
Human Development Paradigm

UNIT 2: Theorising Development (4 weeks – 12 Modules)

Modernisation
Dependency
Post development
World system

UNIT 3: Developmental Regimes in India (3 weeks – 9 Modules)

Political Economy of development
Growth and developmental regimes in India
Democracy and Economic Transition in India
Democracy, decentralisation and development in india
Neo-liberalism and development

UNIT 4: Issues in Development Praxis (4 weeks – 12 Modules)

Development as Freedom
Capability Approach
Environment and Development
Globalisation and Development
Development, displacement and rehabilitation
Gender and development
Social capital and development
Participation and development
PRA and rural development

Taught by

Prof. Satyapriya Rout