Introduction to Development
Dr. Reut Barak Weeckes
What are the pillars of international development? What supports communities and individuals in their journey to social and economic independence and better quality of life? What are the links between development theory and practice? This course provides students with an introduction to the field of international development, while focusing on community development and the impact of development interventions on disadvantaged individuals and communities. The course discusses the evolution of development theory since the 20th century; the various world events which led to changes in development theory and were significantly affected by them; and influential approaches to development practice. Historically, the course provides students with a broad understanding of power relations between the developed and the developing worlds since the 15th Century. The course exposes students to case studies and best practices from Israel and around the world and includes interviews and conversations with development practitioners from a variety of fields.
The course includes two components, an online 1 credit course, which the students are expected to study in the own time before the beginning of the school year; and a second credit, which will be taught during the first semester. All together the course includes 2 credits.