International rural development
The course is suitable for you who, regardless of disciplinary background, are interested in expanding your knowledge of rural development, and furthermore want to be able to identify and analyse problems and potentials in relation to rural livelihoods. The course focuses on ecological, political, social, and economic factors of rural development in the global South.
The course includes discussions on important aspects of rural livelihoods, such as food security, natural resource management, climate change, social organization and migration. There is also a focus on gender aspects and poverty/well-being within rural development.
Information from the course leader
Welcome to the course LU0086 (International Rural Development)
We are very pleased to invite you to this cours, but we have issues to share with you early. The ongoing Corvid 19 pandemic is giving us real hard time planning the course, and both teachers and students face a great deal of uncertainty in as far as course planning is concerned. Therefore, we kindly urge all students enrolled in the course to closely monitor the SLU Corvid pages through the student section for updates (i.e. https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/emergencies-and-incidents/information-about-the-coronavirus/study/). Otherwise, we are planning to run both on campus teaching (seminars) and online teaching, depending on availability of appropriate classrooms with possibility of extra social distancing. Tough, but has to be done. A detailed schedule will be posted on SLUNIK in the first weeks of October 2020, and an updated one on Canvas at the start of the course. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further details. Opira & Harry (Course Convenors)
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LU0086-20130 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for LU0086
Academic year 2024/2025
International rural development (LU0086-20106)
2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19
Academic year 2023/2024
International rural development (LU0086-20163)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
International rural development (LU0086-20060)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
International rural development (LU0086-20130)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2019/2020
International rural development (LU0086-20068)
2019-11-01 - 2020-01-19
Academic year 2018/2019
International rural development (LU0086-20105)
2018-11-05 - 2019-01-20
Academic year 2017/2018
International rural development (LU0086-20028)
2017-10-30 - 2018-01-14
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LU0086 International rural development, 15.0 Credits
Internationell landsbygdsutvecklingSubjects
Rural Development Agricultural ScienceEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0201 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G1F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
30 credits in rural development or other relevant humanities, social, or natural science subject. Skills in English equivalent to English B from upper secondary school in Sweden.Objectives
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of ecological, social, political and economic aspects of rural development in the global South. In order to achieve this aim the course offers an introduction to relevant theoretical frameworks, concepts, approaches, and discussions concerning aspects of rural livelihoods. Further, the course will provide students with an understanding of current potentials and obstacles in rural development in the global South.
Upon completion of the course, the students shall, verbally and in writing, be able to:
discuss theoretical and empirical aspects of rural development in the global South.
discuss the main components of livelihood strategies in different rural settings.
compare and discuss how different notions of, and approaches to, development are linked to contemporary processes of globalization and environmental, agrarian and social change.
compare and discuss theoretical and empirical perspectives on globalisation, and the specific impacts of global processes on different local rural contexts.
Content
This interdisciplinary course focuses on ecological, political, social, and economic factors of rural development in the global South. The course introduces the students to basic concepts and discussions in social and agricultural sciences, as well as development theories. The course is suitable for all university students, regardless of disciplinary background, who are interested in expanding their knowledge of rural development, and furthermore want to be able to identify and analyse problems and potentials in relation to rural livelihoods. The course compares and analyses different rural problems and potentials of development and underdevelopment, drawing on examples from the major regions of the global South. The course includes discussions on important aspects of rural livelihoods, such as food security, natural resource management, climate change, social organization and migration. There is also a focus on gender aspects and poverty/well-being within rural development.
Besides lectures the students will participate in compulsory discussion seminars and group work.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
The course is examined through written exam, group work, presentations and exercises. Approved examination and participation in compulsory sessions are required for passing the course.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Urban and Rural Development
Further information
Grading criteria
General Criteria for Grading
Insufficient (U)
Grade 3
- be able to give a basic account for the history and concepts of development and its various meanings.
- be able to describe the main theories, arguments, concepts and assumptions of various aspects of rural development in the South.
- be able to describe the main aspects of rural settings and livelihood strategies.
- be able to account for how different aspects of development are linked to contemporary processes of globalization, environmental issues and social changes.
- be able to write in an adequately scientifically structured and comprehensible form.
- be able to demonstrate an adequate understanding of the literature of the course.
- be able to complete the compulsory assignments within the stipulated time period.
- be able to contribute actively during seminars.
Grade 4
- be able to critically discuss the history and concepts of development and its various meanings.
- be able to compare and conduct a basic analysis of the main theories, arguments, concepts and assumptions of various aspects of rural development in the South.
- be able to compare and conduct a basic analysis of the main aspects of rural settings and livelihood strategies.
- be able to account for and critically discuss how different aspects of development are linked to contemporary processes of globalization, environmental issues and social changes.
- be able to write in a scientifically well-structured and well-argued form.
- be able to complete the compulsory assignments within the stipulated time period.
- be able to hand in the exam before the formal deadline.be able to contribute actively during seminars.
- be able to demonstrate substantial understanding of the literature of the course.
Grade 5
- be able to analyze and critically discuss the history and concepts of development and its various meanings.
- be able to distinguish and analyse the main arguments, concepts and assumptions of the scientific study of rural development.
- be able to analyze and critically discuss theoretical and practical aspects of rural development in the South.
- be able to compare and analyze main aspects of rural settings and livelihood strategies.
- be able to critically discuss and analyze the connections between different notions of development and contemporary processes of globalization, environmental issues and social changes.
- be able to write in a scientifically analytical, well-structured, and advanced form.
- be able to complete the compulsory assignments within the stipulated time period.
- be able to hand in the exam before the formal deadline.
- be able to contribute actively during seminars.
- be able to demonstrate excellent understanding of the literature.
Litterature list
- The Companion of Development Studies Författare: Desai Vandana and Robert Potter 1) Rural Development Författare: Adam Pain and Kjell Hansen ISBN: 978-1-138-77566-4 Kommentar: Selected Chapters