Master's Programme in Global development - theory and practice

Presentation

Semester

The programme will commence in the autumn of 2016, on the condition that the University Board approves the new programme

Objectives and content

The aim of this master's programme is to train advanced professionals in the field of Global Development Theory and Practice with specialisation in either health promotion or gender and global development. The overarching objectives for both specializations are to provide the students with in-depth understanding of:

• Global development through critical evaluation of relevant theories; integration of human rights and social justice; appraisal of global governance and the politics of aid; and assessment of impact of climate change on sustainable development.
• The practice of development, including policy and programme planning, implementation and evaluation at the levels of local organisations and communities, municipalities and states, national and international cooperation projects.
• The contexts of sustainable human development including culture, international cooperation and ecology/conservation.

Specialisation in health promotion

The aim of this specialisation is to give the student expertise in health promotion theory and practice in the context of global development. The general approach of all aspects of the health promotion specialisation is a resource-based perspective. The specialisation includes the 10 ECTs module on Foundations of Health Promotion and either a 60 ECTs thesis researching a health promotion subject or 30 ECTs internship plus 30 ECTs thesis on a health promotion topic.

Specialisation in gender and global development

The aim of this specialisation is to give the students expertise in gender and feminist analysis and enable them to take a critical and reflective perspective on the significance of gender in the context of global development. Focus is put on gendered power relations and vulnerabilities as well as processes of empowerment and social change. The specialisation includes the 10 ECTs module on Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues and either a 60 ECTs thesis researching a gender and global development subject or 30 ECTs internship plus 30 ECTs thesis on a gender and global development topic.

In both specialisations, qualitative or quantitative research methods will be taught, and may be used by students depending on thesis topics. All students are integrated into the Department Research Groups, and many will undertake thesis research that is part of the Advisor's research activities. Research ethics is an integral part of learning.

Required Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has in-depth knowledge of relevant development theories as they have evolved over time; how human rights and social justice have interacted with global development; the changing structures of global governance and aid; the impact of climate change on sustainable development.
• can critique development plans and proposals in light of best practice and development values
• has in-depth knowledge of development practice models that are appropriate to specific development intentions
• has an overview of the major activities of development professionals at levels from the local to the international
• has in-depth knowledge about different theoretical and practical approaches to empowerment
• has in-depth knowledge of research ethics, methods and analyses relevant to global development
• is familiar with resource based perspectives on development and with gender analysis in the context of development

Skills

The student:

• can critically apply key concepts relating to gender and health promotion analysis
• can analyse and critically trace the conceptual and policy trajectory from economic growth to human development and beyond
• can work independently on practical and theoretical global development problems
• can scrutinize the planned and unplanned consequences of development policies
• can apply state-of-art development planning and evaluation models in establishing new development initiatives
• can facilitate partnership-building and empowerment-oriented collaboration with development stakeholders
• can conduct needs assessments and assets assessments as early-stage development activities
• can formulate research questions, and plan, carry out and report on independent research
• can critically evaluate research literature
• can critically evaluate research plans
• can adhere to ethical principles when planning and conducting research and apply for ethical clearance for research

General competence

The student:

• can analyse critically the field of global development both at policy and academic levels
• can identify and analyse ethical challenges in global development related research
• can communicate extensively their own independent research and assess that of others
• can engage in public debates on global development issues
• can design development initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders
• can implement development initiatives in partnership with communities
• can evaluate the processes and outcomes of development initiatives
• can report to stakeholders in writing and orally on the design, implementation and evaluation of development initiatives

Admission

Semester

The programme will commence in the autumn of 2016, on the condition that the University Board approves the new programme

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements

Prospective students for the Master's Programme in Global Development Theory and Practice must have obtained an undergraduate degree or Bachelor's degree of at least 3 years' duration at a recognised institution in either social or health sciences, or have an equivalent educational background. The applicants must document special competence equaling one and a half years of study (90 ECTS) in a field or specialisation relevant for the study of global development theory and practice.

For international applicants a minimum of 2nd Class, Upper Division or the equivalent on the Bachelor's degree is normally required in order to be considered for admission. For Norwegian applicants the requirement is an average of C or above on the courses of specialisation.

As English is the language used in teaching, examinations and the thesis, applicants for both specialisations must document proficiency in the English language, in accordance with specified requirements:www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad/english-language-requirementswww.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad/english-language-requirements

http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad/english-language-requirements

All applicants must present a letter of motivation with the application (written in English) , demonstrating their reasons for applying to this particular programme, and what they would like to achieve in the course of the 2 years' study period.

Ranking

Applicants are firstly ranked according to their academic results, based on the grades in the specialisation in their Bachelor's degrees.

The second criterion taken into consideration when ranking candidates is depth and relevance of work experience.

Thirdly, applicants for the specialisation in Gender in Global Development who have a gender studies component in their Bachelor Specialisation will be given priority, although such a component is not required. Similarly, applicants for the specialisation in Health Promotion who have a health promotion-related component in their Bachelor Specialisation will be given priority, but such a component is not required.

Fourthly, considerations will be taken to ensure diversity of the student pool.