300212 Human Dimensions of Development (S) (SoSe 2016)

This course will familiarize the students with the overall concept, meaning, and practices of human dimensions of development and its relation to sustainable development. It will do so by dicussing the the concepts and meaning of development and the contested characteristics this carries in modern societies. This course will discuss some of the development indicators, with special emphasis on human development indicators, human development strategies and sustainable development.

Course: Human Development Paradigms

Mondays and Thursdays
(June 6, 9, 13 & 16, 2016)

Dr. Sagar R Sharma
Email: sagar@ku.edu.np

This course is a general introduction to some of the theories and practices of development in developing countries, with a special focus on the human dimensions of development. It starts out with discussing the notion of development itself, as it has been a contested concept and has had its share of controversies. The fact that poverty and inequality remain in many countries, in spite of significant interventions and international aid, has posed both conceptual and practical problems. This course aims to look into these matters from the perspective of human development paradigms and attempt to cover some parts of the global development discourse.

Course Plan
Date Contents Reference Materials
June 6 Theme: Contested Development
I Introduction to the nature and the scope of the course

What is development? Overview of the development discourse Development: an Analysis of Concepts, Measurement and Indicators. Jair Soares Jr. and Rogério H. Quintella. (2008).

II Students’ perceptions/ understanding of development

Discussion on various views of development Conceptualising Contested Development – From Grand Narratives to the Nitty-gritty of the Everyday. Geiser, U. in Contested Development in Nepal: Experiences and Reflections. Sharma SR et.al. (2015).
June 9 Theme: Human Development
III Human development paradigm and its precursors, Human capital, Ends and means of development, Development as freedom and capability expansion Development as Freedom. Sen, A. (2000).
Chapter 1.1: The perspective of freedom
Chapter 1.2: The ends and the means of development
Chapter 4: Poverty as capability deprivation
IV Conceptual Foundations of Human dimensions of development HD and Economic Development Readings in Human Development: Concepts, Measures and Policies for a Development Paradigm. Sakiko Fukuda Parr and A.K Shiva Kumar. (2003).
Chapter 1.1: Development as capability expansion
Chapter 1.2: The human development paradigm

Introducing the Human Development and Capability Approach. Sabina Alkire and Séverine Deneulin. (2012).

June 13 Theme: Poverty and Social exclusion
V Poverty and inequality: Why do they persist?

What is social exclusion? How are people socially excluded?
Handbook on poverty and inequality. Haughton, J. & Khandker, S. R. The World Bank. (2009).
Chapter1: What is Poverty? Why measure it?

Social exclusion: Concept, application and scrutiny. Sen, A. (2000).
VI Case studies from around the world
Documentary followed by discussion Negotiating Access to Land in Nepal. Sharma SR et. al. (2014).
Voices of the poor
June 16 Theme: Inequality (Global Practices)
VII Concept of human poverty, HD and neo-liberalism – paradigms compared Readings in Human Development
Chapter 1.4: The concept of human poverty
Chapter 1.8: Human development and neo-liberalism: paradigms compared
Chapter 3.4: The politics of poverty eradication
VIII Documentary followed by discussion

Methodology
The course delivery will be based on following format:
• Class lectures
• Interactive discussions
• Presentations
• Article reviews
• Short videos and documentaries

Active involvement of the students throughout the process of learning is encouraged. The faculty is only a facilitator of learning, with the students carrying the main responsibility of learning. The classes will be made interactive as far as practicable. Students are encouraged to engage themselves in discussions throughout the course.

Students are also expected to read assigned texts and other readings prior to attending classes. Surprise tests or quizzes may be administered to students every now and then, hence, they are advised to remain prepared on the topics taught in class or assigned for pre-session reading. They must analyze and prepare cases or presentations and discussions in classes.

Students are advised that there are no perfect solutions for their reports/assignments and that they will be graded for their effort, understanding, originality, coverage, organization and clarity of the content. All reports/assignments should be neatly typed.