STV2310 – Politics and development
Course content
The extreme problems of human rights, uneven growth, inequality and poverty in post-colonial countries are often about power and governance. Although many of the dilemmas are international and not just confined to the Global South, change presupposes effective politics. Such politics in turn rest with collective action among people and organisations that can rarely come together but on the local and national level.
This course focuses on the problems of power and governance in the post-colonial countries, and will discuss theories and arguments related to central themes such as:
- state-building
- the politics of resources and capital accumulation
- state-society relations
- political cleavages
- clientelism
- popular organisation
- democratisation and peace building
- international support for the latter.
Students in political science who plan to relate their forthcoming master studies to politics in developing countries are strongly recommended to take this course.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
You will
- enhance their knowledge about theories of how power and governance is related to problems of development in the post-colonial world
Skills
You will
- acquire a basis for critical and independent analysis of issues of governance and power in the post-colonial world
- be able to recall and compare the major theories and concepts of power and governance
- be able to structure academic texts with research questions that the student has chosen him-/herself or that are pre-defined.
- be able to relate a research question to the academic literature in the area and assess how the choice of research question determines the choices of research design, the need for sources/data and the research method.
- be able to communicate academic knowledge in writing and orally and provide constructive criticism of other students’ assignments.
Competences
You will
- develop their capacity to carry out independent analyses in both working life and in more specialised studies on the master level
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.
Mandatory acitvities
- Attend the first seminar.
- Present your term paper.
- Comment on other students' papers.
The seminars are taught in English, and the papers handed in must be written in English.
Absence from compulsory tuition activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.