Designing Development Research: Case-Based Learning from the Global South 4030-DDR
The course introduces students to the process of designing development-oriented research projects. Using rural and urban case studies from the Global South, students will explore development challenges such as tourism, migration, informality, and infrastructure, among others. These real-world examples will serve as a basis to understand and apply key components of a research proposal, such as formulating research questions, choosing relevant case studies, building theoretical frameworks, selecting appropriate research methods, and addressing ethical, risk-related and budgetary issues.
Throughout the course, students will gradually develop their group research proposals, working step by step from idea to presentation. The course supports interdisciplinary thinking and encourages reflection on the complexity of development processes, with particular attention to environmental and social inequalities.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student:
a. Knowledge
– identifies and explains key challenges in contemporary development processes in rural and urban contexts of the Global South (K_W01 SD, K_W05 MERGED)
– describes and interprets the components of a development research proposal, including case selection, theoretical framing, methodology, risk assessment, ethics and budgeting (K_W09 SD, K_W02 MERGED)
– recognises the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in analysing complex development problems (K_W01 SD, K_W04 MERGED)
b. Skills
– formulates research objectives and questions adapted to a specific development issue (K_U04 SD, K_U03 MERGED, K_U04 MERGED)
– selects appropriate research methods and tools for analysing development-related processes (K_U04 SD, K_U01 MERGED)
– prepares a written proposal and delivers a group presentation in English using appropriate terminology (K_U10 SD, K_U09 MERGED)
– cooperates in multicultural teams, manages time and organises research tasks (K_U07 MERGED)
c. Social competences
– reflects critically on development discourse and is aware of its ethical and political dimensions (K_K01 SD, K_K01 MERGED)
– shows responsibility, openness to diverse perspectives, and readiness to work in interdisciplinary settings (K_K04 SD, K_K05 MERGED)
– is aware of their own positionality and responsibilities as a researcher working in diverse development contexts (K_K06 SD, K_K06 MERGED)
Assessment criteria
– Active participation in class discussions and group tasks – 20%
– Written group research proposal – 50%
– Final oral group presentation – 30%
Practical placement
Not applicable
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: