Development: Global Actors, Norms and Policies

The recent US Presidential campaigns brought to light a basic question. In this age of globalization, how dependent is the United States (and any country) on global institutions and collaboration to solve problems that affect their citizens? Can a country really go it alone? Are there truly global problems that can’t be solved by a single country?

This course explores the various sectors/issue areas of international development (broadly defined) found in the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics).Development takes place at the local level but is significantly shaped and managed at the global level. Development sectors/issue areas addressed include public health, rule of law, access to justice, refugees, violence and conflict, corruption, poverty, climate change, gender equality, global finance, human rights, and others (there are 17 SDGs and 167 specific targets being addressed by the full range of actors, from local NGOs to international government organizations such as the UN Development Program –UNDP).).

Key questions addressed in the course are: What is a global problem? Who are the actors at the global level? What are the norms that influence national behavior? Which governments do/do not comply with these norms and why? Which development sectors are more “globally governed” than others? How do development issues get on the global agenda? The course also addresses the role of international governmental organizations (IGOs)- their structure, influence, level of autonomy, etc.(e.g., World Bank, UN Development Program, etc.) The main course requirement is a group assessment of a development sector/problem of the group’s choosing, using the concepts introduced in the course. Guest speakers will appear from the various development sectors/issue areas. Each student is required to give several oral presentations throughout the course.

For first or second semester students, this course serves as an introduction to the substance of development work and can help narrow your career focus. For third and fourth semester students, the course is an opportunity to research in depth a development issue related to your selected career path.