course-details-portlet

GEOG3053

Discourses of Global Development

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The course explores how ideas of development and sustainability have been mobilised in different discourses driving societal change. It introduces multiple theories and concepts of development that have emerged over time and links them to contemporary issues like poverty, inequality, and sustainability. It also discusses the roles of different actors across levels in shaping development discourses and societal change. The course leverages a diverse array of practical and empirical insights, drawing on the expertise of lecturers from multiple fields of study.

Learning outcome

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

  • are able to identify different discourses of development from diverse fields of academic thought. They know the theoretical underpinnings of these discourses and have a deep understanding of their links to issues like poverty, inequality, and sustainability.
  • are able to examine how power structures and historical inequalities have shaped global development and globalisation discourses, with attention to the dominance of certain perspectives over others and the impact of these biases on contemporary development challenges.

Skills:

  • have acquired the ability to articulate key theories and to conduct analysis of ongoing development challenges. They will also be able to communicate these analyses in writing and dialogue.

General competence:

  • The course provides basic competence for candidates to work in research fields, international organisations, companies, diplomacy, and aid agencies.

Learning methods and activities

Up to 20 hours lectures and assignment. Compulsory assignments and examinations must be completed in English. Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis in consultation with the lecturer responsible for the course.

Compulsory assignments

  • Assignment

Further on evaluation

The compulsory assignments must be completed and approved in order to be eligible to take the exam. The examination is a 4 hour written exam (worth 100% of the final grade). Same form of examination is given when re-sitting for the exam or improving the grade. Written exam for the course is offered both in the autumn and spring semester.

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor in social science. Other relevant qualifications can be accepted upon approval by the Department of Geography.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
GEOG3050 7.5 sp Autumn 2007
GEOG3504 7.5 sp Autumn 2007
SVGEO350 7.5 sp Autumn 2007
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Geography
  • Globalisation
  • Social Sciences

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Geography and Social Anthropology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.