Entry requirements

Development Studies second year level or equivalent education.

Learning outcomes

After completion of Development Studies C the students are expected to:

• have strengthened their knowledge of social science methods which they have gained from Development Studies B.
• to get a deepened knowledge within a specialised field in development studies
• independently formulate a researchable problem within development studies based on previous research and with the help of one or several methods answer the question in their own study and critically reflect on the results of the study

Content

Course 1. Methods, 7.5 ECTS

Course 2. Tragedy of the Commons:

Climate, Water, and the Politics of Natural Resource Management 7.5 ECTS

Other relevant courses can be chosen. Contact Director of Development Studies, Hans Blomkvist.

Course 3. Independent study (thesis work)15 ECTS

1. Methods, 7.5 credits

2. Tragedy of the Commons? Climate Change, Energy, and the Politics of Resource Management

Goal (expected study results)

The course has two overarching goals. The first is to deepen the students' knowledge and understanding of the 'collective action dilemma' from a social science perspective. The second goal is to acquaint the students with two crucial, and interdependent, global problems: climate change and energy. As a corollary to these two goals the course will also analyse and discuss possible political solutions to the management of climate and energy issues (as well as dilemmas over natural resources more generally). To this end, the course will examine possible solutions at the international, regional, and local levels. At the global level, emphasis will be placed on international regimes such as the Kyoto Protocol. At the regional level, the European Union's efforts to combat climate change will be examined. Lastly, the course will consider how energy and climate politics are played out in the localities of developing countries. The latter includes the confluence of state policies and norms in the local community. Upon the completion of this course the students are expected to thoroughly understand the interface between politics and the challenge of addressing environmental problems and managing limited natural resources. The intent is also to provide a good foundation for students who want to pursue this topic in a C level essay in Development studies or Political Science.

Content of the course

The course consists of four parts: Stating the Problem, International regimes and Climate Change, Climate Politics in a Regional Organisation: EU and Climate Change, and Managing the Local Commons: Energy and Climate in Developing Countries.

Teaching

The course consists of lectures, seminars, and study visits to the Ångström laboratory and Uppsala Värmeverk.

Examination

The students are examined by means of (active participation in) seminars, written assignments, and a final written exam.

3. Independent study (thesis work)

Aims

After completion of the course the students are expected to:

- carry out an independent study on development and/or development theory based on the empirical, methodological, and theoretical knowledge gained during the preceding 75 points in Development Studies

Teaching

Teaching is done in the form of supervision, individually or in groups, of the thesis work and through active participation in (at least seven) thesis seminars.

Examination

The thesis is examined by two teachers/professors in connection with the thesis seminars. The grade summarises the evaluation of the thesis, oral presentation and defence of the thesis, comments (opposition), and active participation in the other thesis seminars. The criteria and how they are combined are formulated in the course presentation handed out in the beginning of the semester. Grades are awarded according the scale "failed", "pass" or "pass with distinction".

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars.

Assessment

The students are examined by means of a written test, assignments, and active participation in seminars. The third part is examined by means of writing and defending a thesis, commenting on a thesis and active participation in (at least five) theses seminars. An opportunity for a re-test is given ca 3-4 weeks after the first exam. The time and place for the written tests is announced in the schedule on the net. Grades are awarded according the scale "failed", "pass" or "pass with distinction". To get the grade "pass with distinction" for the whole C course that grade is needed for at least 15 points of the totally 30 points.

Course level in relation to degree requirements

On completion of the course the students are expected to have deepened their knowledge within development studies. They will have acquired a general view, and knowledge of the current scientific debate. The students' ability to analyse, evaluate and critically examine research and to formulate their own research problems will be deepened, as well as their ability to critically discuss and present information both orally and in writing, and their ability to independently search for scientifically relevant data and information. Additional training in the skill to present their arguments orally as well as in writing in a clear and concise way, will be offered.

The awareness and knowledge of methods will be deepened, and the methodological skills required to independently raise scientific questions and to carry out simple empirical studies, will be developed. A basic awareness will be acquired concerning the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the public responsibility for its use. While working with the independent project the students' ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate questions will be deepened, and they will learn to plan and carry out qualified assignments within given time limits and with adequate methods, and to present and discuss the underlying conclusions and arguments, both orally and in writing. The skills required for participation in the research and development work, or for working independently in some other qualified field, will be especially developed here.