International Development

What it is about

In this seminar you will get a compact overview of central theories, measurement methods and findings of international development research. You will learn how development, poverty and inequality are defined and measured, which explanations exist for different levels of development, how poverty affects the lives of individuals and households, and which political or evidence-based intervention possibilities are discussed. In the end you will be able to critically place the debates on the effectiveness and limits of development aid.

What you will be able to do

• Define concepts and terms of international development
• Analyze approaches and limits of poverty measurement
• Assess central theories on income differences between countries
• Name the effects of poverty at the micro level
• Summarize and critically reflect on controversial arguments about the effectiveness of development aid

What the module consists of

• Seminar/SitzungenDelivery of content in four thematic blocks; discussions and student contributions
• StudierendenpräsentationenDeepening of individual topics and practice of scientific presentation
• Gelegentliche GruppenarbeitCooperative handling of specific questions

Teaching method

• Lehrvortrag (PowerPoint)Structured introduction to theories and methods
• Interaktive DiskussionenEngagement with texts and critical reflection
• Studierenden-PräsentationenIndependent preparation and conveying of content
• GruppenarbeitJoint analysis and application of concepts
• Kurzvideos (z. B. TED Talks)Illustrative material to complement the theory