# Global Liberal Arts（Introduction to Poverty and International Development）

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Global Liberal Arts（Introduction to Poverty and International Development）

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Last updated at Oct 17, 2025.\
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Class plans and classrooms are subject to change, so be sure to check UTAS for the latest information.\
If you do not have access to the UTAS, please contact your instructor or academic affairs office.\

# Global Liberal Arts（Introduction to Poverty and International Development）

Introduction to Poverty and International Development

This course introduces students to fundamental themes and issues in development studies. The course allows students to explore a range of critical debates and discussions connected to poverty in less prosperous parts of the world, and is divided into three parts. The first part of the course focuses on theories and approaches by examining how the understanding of development has evolved from the colonial period up to contemporary theories of what constitutes a developed society. Part two looks at key actors in the field of development including the state, national development agencies, global financial institutions and civil society organisations. The third part of the course explores a number of key themes in international development, looking at questions around how debt, health and conflict impact on development. In addition to the acquisition of content knowledge, students will develop their academic English skills in the following areas: listening comprehension; notetaking skills; critical thinking, discussion, intensive and extensive reading, summary writing, research, and presentation.

MIMA Search

Code

Course title

Lecturer

Semester

Period

7V0101016A-P/F

FGL-GL3116S3

Global Liberal Arts（Introduction to Poverty and International Development）

Ian Wash

A1

A2

Fri 4th

Add to My List

Remove from My List

Language

English

Credit

2

Lecturers with practical experience

NO

Other Faculty

YES

Course Offered by

Center for Global Education

Schedule

• Week 1: Course introduction. What is development?
• Week 2: Theory 1: Colonialism and imperialism.
• Week 3: Theory 2: Modernisation and developmentalism.
• Week 4: Theory 3: Dependency and underdevelopment.
• Week 5: Actors 1: The state.
• Week 6: Actors 2: National development agencies.
• Week 7: Actors 3: International financial institutions.
• Week 8: Issues 1: Free trade and fair trade.
• Week 9: Issues 2: Health and development.
• Week 10: Issues 3: Conflict, security and development.
• Week 11: Preparation for Final presentations.
• Week 12: Final presentations.
• Week 13: Final presentations

Teaching Methods

• Classwork: Discussion.
• Homework: Lecture and note-taking, background reading, independent research.

Method of Evaluation

【Please check the grading scale that applies to this course. If the Course Code ends without “-P/F”, this is a course with a letter grade (A+, A, B, C, F). If the Course Code ends with “-P/F”, this is a Pass/Fail Course.】
• Active participation (see Active Participation Guide): 30%
• Assignments (Preparation worksheets, classroom discussions): 40%
• Final presentations: 30%

Required Textbook

Haslam, P. A., Schafer, J, & Beaudet, P. (2021). Introduction to International Development: Approaches, Actors, Issues, and Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0199036438 (Note: Hongo campus library and the Komaba campus library both hold copies of this book, therefore purchase is not necessary)

Reference Books

Recommended supplementary reading
• Desai, V. & Potter, R. B. (2014) The Companion to Development Studies. Third Edition. London: Routledge
(An essential one-stop reference book for undergraduate students of international development.)
• Sachs, W. (2010) The Development Dictionary: A Guide to Knowledge as Power. London: Zed Books.
(A collection of critical essays reviewing key concepts in development studies.)
• Jefferson, P. N. (2018) Poverty: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
(This is a brief and clearly written introductory text on poverty and the poor.)
• Goldin, I. (2018) Development: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
(A succinct but surprisingly broad introduction to international development.)

Notes on Taking the Course

【If the number of students enrolling in this course exceeds 20, there may be a selection process. Instructions for the selection process will be given in the first class, so if you are interested in taking this course, please be sure to attend the first class.】
• Preparation is key. Before each regular lesson students are expected to do the following:
o Do required pre-reading
o Watch the recorded lecture and take notes
o Complete all parts of the document Homework: Preparation Worksheet
o When researching your answers to questions, consider the credibility of your sources.
o Optional: Do additional reading around concepts covered in the lectures.
• Use classroom discussions as an opportunity to make sense of, reflect on and internalise the material from the recorded lectures and pre-readings. It’s perfectly fine to refer your lecture notes and the pre-readings during these discussions.

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