DVST6901: Semester 1, 2025
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Unit outline_

DVST6901: The Global Politics of Development

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The 21st century world is far from the postwar vision of modernisation under the aegis of a liberal international order. What does development mean in a world that has never been more divided and unequal? When people, money, microbes, and coastlines move - and borders are drawn and redrawn - what do powerful, wealthy societies owe the global majority? Can guest workers, squatters, and First Nations do what green revolutions couldn't? This class examines how the focus of development has shifted from growth to health, and expanded to include women and other marginalised groups, and in so doing also set in motion new kinds of politics and new ideas of progress.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Anthropology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
SSCP6900
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anjalee Cohen, anjalee.cohen@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment AI Allowed Group oral presentation
Group presentation on one of the weekly topics
15% Multiple weeks 1500 word paper/15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Attendance AI Allowed Weekly reading response
Weekly written reading response to set questions from week 2-11
20% Multiple weeks 10 x 150 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment AI Allowed Essay
A critical essay based on topics from Week 1-6
30% Week 07
Due date: 07 Apr 2025 at 23:59
1400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment AI Allowed Take-home exam
A critical essay based on topics from Week 7-12 within limited time frame
35% Week 13
Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59
1600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

See the class Canvas site for the full details of each of the assignments.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Work will be accepted late, but will lose points for every day that it is late without either a formal extension from the central student administration, or an informal extension from Anjalee. Please keep in touch with Anjalee throughout the semester about your work in the class.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The Global Politics of Development - Introduction Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Ethnic Minorities and the State Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Drugs and Development Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Drugs and Development - part 2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Women and Development Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Health and Development Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Health Promotion and the Poor Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Structural Violence Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 The Double Burden of Disease Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Ethnography and Representation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Engaged Anthropology and Social Justice Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Special Topic to be announced Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Special Topic to be announced Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas reading list tab for weekly required and suggested readings.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the main issues and debates within the study of citizenship, civil society, and the public sphere.
  • LO2. Understand the difference between and be able to identify normative claims and empirical claims, and the respective roles of each as part of rigorous inquiry into a topic.
  • LO3. Be able to take a position on an open question, either normative or empirical, and to draw on several types of scholarly inquiry to develop an argument for one's position.
  • LO4. Be able to bridge divides among disciplinary paradigms and modes of inquiry to apply the results of empirical research to a critique of theory.
  • LO5. Understand and take a position on the role of normative inquiry and empirical research in the critique of dominant ideologies in the wider society

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been redesigned to address new topics as part of the Masters of Social Justice program.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 17 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.