Education and International Development

Catalog description

In recent years the construct of "global development" has come under increasing scrutiny, leading some scholars and practitioners to wonder whether development remains a useful concept. In this course, we will actively engage in this debate through a survey of the development literature in the field of education. We will examine theoretical frameworks and historical perspectives that will allow us to develop a better understanding of what is meant by "development" as well as recognize how these concepts relate to basic educational planning and practice in various international contexts. Prerequisite: Prior graduate work in related areas recommended. The course will work from primary and secondary materials on theories, research, and applications used to promote global development and basic education. Some programs are carried out by multinational/bilateral agencies such as World Bank, Unicef, UNESCO, and USAID, while others are undertaken by intermediary organizations (such as NGOs and universities) and local organizations or individual specialists. Issues include a range of social, economic and political obstacles to the provision of quality education. The goal of this course is to improve your understanding of how different theories of education and development influence educational policy, priorities, and programs of international, national, and local institutions. Prerequisite: Prior graduate work in related areas recommended.