PLD1117 — International Development

This course provides an in-depth overview of the multidisciplinary field of International Development. The course introduces foundational concepts, major academic debates in international development, and the formation and functioning of the global development cooperation system, clarifying the roles of key development actors. Through theoretical frameworks and analytical approaches, the course helps students understand how the international community formulates and coordinates development efforts, common forms of development cooperation, and transnational challenges affecting development processes, while also identifying emerging shifts and trends in the global development order.

The main contents of the course include:

The historical evolution of the field of international development and development theories, including: Modernization Theory; Dependency Theory and World-Systems Theory; development theories (endogenous development, inclusive development, and poverty reduction); Human Development and Sustainable Development.

The global development cooperation system: the historical formation of international development cooperation; the roles of key international development actors, including: (i) Multilateral organizations: the United Nations (UN), the World Bank (WB); (ii) Bilateral organizations and national donors; (iii) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The rise of the Global South, new development cooperation models, and implications for global development governance: the Global South in the global development system; emerging economies and shifts in the development order; South–South cooperation and alternative development models.

Vietnam in international development: the application of development theories in Vietnam’s development process; Vietnam’s participation in the global development cooperation system; Vietnam’s role in South–South cooperation.4. LEARNING RESOURCES

4.1. Course Books

[1] Damien Kingsbury, John McKay, Janet Hunt etc (2016), International Development: issues and Challenges, Third editon, publish by PALGRAVE

[2] Andrew Sumner, Michael A Tribe (2008), International Development Studies - Theories and Methods in Research and Practice, Sage Publiications Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd.

[3] Paul A. Haslam, Jessica Schafer, Pierre Beaude (2017), Introduction to International Development Approaches, Actors, Issues and Practice, Third Edition Oxford University Press.

4.2. References

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Requirements for Final Examination

- Students are required to complete one group assignment, one individual assignment, and one final examination. The group assignment accounts for 20% of the total grade, the individual assignment accounts for 20%, and the 90-minute final examination accounts for 50% of the total grade.

- Eligibility for the final examination/course-end examination (50%) requires students to obtain a minimum attendance score of 5 out of 10 (attendance accounts for 10% of the total grade). No make-up examination is permitted. Students are not allowed to use mobile phones or any other personal electronic devices during the examination. Students must present a valid student ID card or citizen identification card to be allowed to sit the exam.

- The group assignment grade is determined based on the group’s overall score and the individual level of contribution to the completion of the group work, as assessed through peer evaluation among group members. If a student is absent from the presentation session, 50% of the group assignment score will be deducted, even in cases where the student participated in the preparation of the report.

Requirements for Class Attendance

Students/learners are required to attend all scheduled class sessions. In cases of absence, prior permission must be obtained from the lecturer before the class session via email or text message. If the attendance score is below 5, students are required to retake the course in accordance with institutional regulations.

Requirements for In-class Behaviour

- The course is conducted on the principles of mutual respect between instructors and students. Any behavior that disrupts or negatively affects the teaching and learning process is strictly prohibited.

- Students are required to bring all mandatory course materials to class, including the course textbook, lecture slides, notebooks, and evidence of prior preparation.

- Students must maintain a quiet and respectful learning environment and refrain from any behavior that may disturb others during class sessions.

- Eating, chewing gum, and the use of personal electronic devices such as mobile phones and music players are strictly prohibited during class time.

- Laptops and tablets may only be used for academic purposes, including note-taking and calculations directly related to lectures and coursework, and must not be used for any other activities.

Intellectual Property

All materials presented in class lectures, including PowerPoint presentations and all distributed materials, are the intellectual property of the lecturer, unless otherwise indicated by copyright. The reproduction, distribution, or publication of these materials is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.