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Opleiding: MA Sustainable Development

Learning purpose

The Sustainable Development Masters at Middlesex in London will provide you with the theoretical and conceptual frameworks necessary to interpret the process of change in developing countries. We recognises the need to balance short-term economic gains for individuals and governments with the long-term needs of the environment and society.

 

We have incorporated opportunities for work experience into the Sustainable Development Masters, which can be used as a conversion course if you have no background in development studies or to enhance understanding if you have relevant academic or work experience.

 

You will learn to assess the potential of interventions for long-term development. Links between the community and global institutions are explored as key elements in understanding the development process. Understanding sustainability, which is increasingly incorporated into policy-making at all levels, is a central theme of the course. Policy analysis is a core skill acquired and developed during the programme.

 

Programme

Full-time students will attend classes on three or four days a week; part-time students on one or two days a week.

Reports, presentations, group work, essays, exams, research papers, seminars and workshops. The dissertation is assessed through a 15,000-word report.

 

Modules

Year 1

 

Approaches to Development: Theory and Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The module aims to develop understanding of the processes of development through examining how notions of development have changed over time paying particular attention to changing conceptualisations of development and who defines these or constructs our development knowledge . The issue of women s status and gender inequality is used as an example throughout the module to highlight changing conceptualisations around what and who are included in development agendas and what this means for the development of these individuals. Specific attention is paid to more recent policy initiatives particularly those promoted by the International Financial Institutions and through examination of these initiatives the module aims to develop a student s ability to critically evaluate policy and the policy formulation process, including critical deconstruction of the alternative development thinking that seeks to challenge the dominant neo liberal development paradigm.

Disaster Mitigation in the Development Context (30 Credits) - Optional
Many feel that the World, and particularly the so called Third World is becoming a more dangerous place as the number and severity of natural events, such as the Boxing day Tsunami of 2005, appear to have increased in recent years. The module begins by critically examining this contention and reflecting on how present development and disaster policy initiatives are tackling the issue. Rather than examining how nature produces such hazards, the module aims to highlight how these hazardous events become disasters through examination of their root causes, their relationship with existing development process and their differentiated impact on the human population. The module goes on to develop understanding of what happens after an event like a hurricane, focussing on often marginalised aspects of disasters, such as the psychosocial impact on those who survive and secondary disasters that follow such as gender based violence. The module aims to highlight how disasters are as much political, social and economic events as they are natural occurrences and to facilitate the development of the related skills necessary to help mitigate the impact of potentially disastrous events in the future.

Dissertation Masters (60 Credits) - Compulsory
This module aims to enable students to investigate in depth a research question related to the programme of study, and to allow students to apply the theory and skills developed in the programme to a topic in policy analysis, project evaluation or professional practice. It also enables students to demonstrate mastery of the process skills involved in undertaking a sustained investigation.

Global Environmental Issues, Policies and Institutions (30 Credits) - Compulsory
This module examines the concept of sustainable development and sustainable environmental management within the context of global and national environmental issues, and critically examines the national and international policies designed to address these issues. Using a range of geographically and developmentally diverse case studies, students will be introduced to the wide range of contemporary environmental issues relevant to sustainable use of the environment. The course will also examine environmental conservation and management policies and investigate the constraints faced by institutions, at various levels, in addressing global and national problems through local actions. The module will also examine various approaches to managing change and policy implementation through the critical examination of the project cycle from a government and NGO perspective.

Globalisation (30 Credits) - Optional
This module considers the implications for International Relations of forces of globalisation, both economic and cultural. It analyses the rise of international organisations, transnational politics and issues of global importance, and explores the theoretical debate surrounding these developments.

Migration, Racism and Citizenship (30 Credits) - Optional
- To provide a critical understanding of contemporary process and theories of migration racism and citizenship - To provide an understanding of the sources and methods appropriate to the study of migration and racism.

Social Research Method (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to familiarise level 4 students with major approaches to social research; develop skills in designing a research proposal; enhance their skills in qualitative and quantitative methods; enhance their critical appreciation of research; and ensure students are able to apply relevant approaches and methods to their own research project or extended literature review at masters level.

Sustainable Tourism Management (30 Credits) - Optional
This module aims to provide a critical understanding of the various dimensions of sustainable tourism in both the developed and the developing world. It will critically review the concept of balance between environmental, social and economic components of sustainable tourism and develop an understanding of the opportunities and constraints associated with sustainable tourism. The module also aims to provide students with a critical evaluation of the implementation and utilisation of a range of management tools that can be deployed in sustainable tourism initiatives. In addition the module will develop students critical awareness of the role of sustainable tourism in achieving sustainable development in different world regions.

Work Experience Internship (30 Credits) - Optional
To provide students with an opportunity to work in an organisation which offers an alternative or new experience relevant to their professional career aspirations for a period of 24 days. To develop and apply relevant skills and concepts from the academic programme to this different practical workplace experience. To gain experience in a new area of work, demonstrate a professional approach in the workplace and make a tangible contribution to the work of an organisation. To demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on personal development, to identify personal strengths and weaknesses in the workplace and to develop a personal action plan for addressing weaknesses.

 

 

Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from graduates with a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

 

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.

 

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