Subject Area: Development Studies

Are you interested in understanding and tackling important environment-development challenges in the 21st century? The course exposes you to a more sophisticated understanding of the current development and environment issues affecting the well-being of local communities in Australia and developing countries. It integrates social, economic and environmental aspects of development and environmental issues, and the concepts are discussed through the lens of sustainable development in a societal perspective. Ideas and issues are presented as contested entities because of the multiplicity of diverse, and at times, diametrically opposed stakeholder interests. The approach of the course therefore eschews the “one right way” approach to development and environment management in favour of an approach based on understanding the diverse and complex societal contexts in which development and environment professionals operate. Different approaches to managing the environment and development projects and programs are illustrated throughout by means of relevant case studies.

The course is designed in a way that encourages you to take ‘deep approach’ to learning. This includes a seminar on selected topics followed by in-class discussion and group presentation . During the semester students are encouraged to interact with their peers through the course’s moodle site, emails and other means. Time will also be allocated in the seminars for you to discuss ideas, clarify concepts, identify problems and seek solutions to problems you encounter in your profession or everyday life.