- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Developing Countries/Africa in the Global World 1900-KRAFR-OG
Prerequisites:
Basic high school knowledge of geography and general interest in current international political, economic and social relations with particular reference to developing countries and possibly some focus on African countries. However, if students are interested in other developing regions, they will also be welcome to attend the classes.
Objectives of the course:
Any student who completes the course should have a very good knowledge of the present day developing/African countries with particular reference to their economic, social
and political roles in the global world.
Course contents:
The course focuses on theoretical economic, social and cultural issues of the developing countries and their role in the global world. All the theories studied will be supported by a number of the country cases in which the lecturer had run his research or consultancy over a number of years. The detailed course outline will be handed over to students
for possible alterations during the first class meeting.
However, the basic areas covered in the course will include:
1. Comparative picture of various developing regions and their role in contemporary world.
2. Basic development theories both classical as well as contemporary models of development and underdevelopment.
3. Domestic problems and policies of developing countries, such as: poverty and inequality, demographic aspects of development, including health (tropical diseases as well as HIV/AIDS), urbanization and rural migration, human capital in development, economic transformation from agriculture to industry and services, as well as the roles of market, state and civil societies.
4. International aspects of development including trade theory, and various trade policy debates, foreign finance, investment and developmental aid.
Assessment methods:
50% of the final mark - coursework (presentations and class participation),
50% of the final mark - oral examination.
Type of course
Learning outcomes
Benefits to you from the course:
The course will give you instruments to understand multidisciplinary and objective picture of the rapidly growing economies and societies in Asia, Latin America and with particular reference to Africa. You will learn various critical tools to assess the real developments of different groups of people at the local and national levels with an emphasis placed on historical, cultural and social aspects so important in the process of development. After passing the course you will become much more independent and critical to some typical stereotypes often found in internet and other social media.
Assessment criteria
Assessment/Pass requirements
- Two essays of around 2500 - 3000 words each (may be written in the group of maximum 3 students) (70%)
- Class presentation and discussion (20%)
- Class attendence (10%)
Bibliography
The course is based on the popular textbooks and readings in development literature such as:
1. M.P. Todaro, S. C. Smith, Economic Development, Pearson, 2009.
2. V. Mahajan, Africa Rising, Pearson, 2009.
3. R. Dowden, Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles, Portobello, 2008.
4. Szirmai, The Dynamics of Socio-Economic Development, Cambridge, 2005.
5. D. Ray, Development Economics, Princeton, 1998.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: