World Development Studies  {SF State Bulletin 2015 - 2016}

Image: San Francisco State University seal on a gold background

World Development Studies

 

World Development Studies Program

HSS 149
415-338-1116
Coordinator: Phil King

 

Faculty

Professors: Banerjee, Barbosa, Moss, Oñate, Shastri, Yansane
Associate Professors: Keith, King, Quesada

 

Program

Minor in World Development Studies

 


 

Program Scope

The field of world development studies looks at the comprehensive transformations that have been brought to human societies across the globe by the spread of the industrial revolution. Approximately one-third of the world's population enjoys a higher material standard of living due to industrialization, whereas two-thirds are in relative poverty. The likelihood, means, and consequences of closing this gap provide the central foci of world development studies. Since this social transformation affects all aspects of human existence, all of the social science disciplines devote important efforts to understanding it.

 

Issues Central to World Development Studies. How did the world distribution of income and wealth become so unequal, and will or must it stay that way?

  • Can economic development occur in a non-Western way?
  • What is the role of grassroots organizations and movements in social change?
  • In development strategy, how much market and how much planning?
  • How does the development process impact women differently from men?
  • Are industrialization and environmental health compatible?
  • Is economic development necessarily associated with democracy?
  • What does global change do to existing cultures and psyches?

 

Career Outlook

Though the minor is not intended as a complete career preparation, it certainly serves as an introduction to a growing career field. There are tens of thousands of development professionals working for governments, the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, a multitude of non-governmental organizations, development banks, universities, and private companies around the world. The minor enables the student to discover a major field of employment as well as scholarly activity.

 

Minor in World Development Studies

All choices must be approved by a faculty advisor, who should be contacted as soon as a student decides to take the minor. Courses with at least three different departmental prefixes must be included in each student's program.  With an advisor's approval, substitutions are possible.

 

World Development Studies, Minor — 22 - 28 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Historical Background (3 units)

Choose one of the following

The Global Development Era (3 - 4 units)

Theory and Practice Units selected from the following

Development and the Environment (3 - 4 units)

Units selected from the following

Cultural, Ethnic, and Gender Perspectives (3 - 4 units)

Units selected from the following:

Regional Comparisons (6 - 8 units)

Units selected on two different regions from the following:

Electives (3 - 4 units)

Units selected on advisement from the following, or from courses in the above categories not chosen to fulfill a requirement within student's program

Holistic Perspective: Special Study (1 unit)

A special study from the student's advisor's home department (ANTH 699, ECON 699, etc.)

 

 

SF State Home