Global Development Studies (formerly International Development Studies)

Global Development Studies is about addressing the causes and consequences of global poverty and social injustice. It combines critical thinking with practice in every day life aimed at enhancing the ability of everyone to actively participate in society to confront the world’s most pressing social, economic, political, and environmental problems. While some in this world have a range of opportunities and benefits, the majority world encounters daily challenges to survive and thrive. Drawing on a distinctly global and interdisciplinary approach, the Department of Global Development Studies is concerned with what it takes to improve lives and livelihoods, and understand and alter the historical and current patterns of global injustice.

Global Development Studies research is conducted with an eye toward the social change and societal transformation needed to make the world a better and fairer place. GDST students conduct research, analyze different explanations, and engage in concrete practices which seek to further our understanding and betterment of living conditions throughout the world.

The Department of Global Development Studies recommends that students in GDST gain competency in a second language relevant to their studies. Students are especially referred to the Certificates offered by the Department of Modern Languages.

In addition to the general and basic requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree set out by the Faculty of Arts, students taking a degree within the Department of Global Development Studies must fulfill department-specific requirements for their GDST major, honours, or minor.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a well-established, foundational degree and requires the requirements listed below alongside general graduation requirements.

Major in Global Development Studies

Students should fulfill the BA Breadth Requirements and take a total of forty-two (42) GDST credits hours:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
GDST 1000	Global Development in Turbulent Times	3
GDST 2301	Global Development: History & Perspectives	3
GDST 2302	Global Development: Policies and Issues	3
GDST 3401	The Political Economy of Development	3
GDST 3424	Research & Action in Development	3
Select twelve GDST credit hours at the 2000- or 3000-level		12
Select fifteen GDST credit hours at the 4000-level		15
Total Credit Hours		42

Minor in Global Development Studies

The equivalent of twenty-four (24) credit hours approved for the program as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
GDST 1000	Global Development in Turbulent Times	3
GDST 2301	Global Development: History & Perspectives	3
GDST 2302	Global Development: Policies and Issues	3
GDST 3401	The Political Economy of Development	3
Select twelve GDST credit hours of electives at the 2000 level or above		12
Total Credit Hours		24

Concentration in Global Development Studies

The equivalent of twenty-four (24) credit hours approved for the program as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Group A: 12 GDS credit hours:		12
GDST 2301	Global Development: History & Perspectives
GDST 2302	Global Development: Policies and Issues
6 GDS credit hours of electives at the 2000 level or above
Group B: 12 GDS credit hours in GDS courses at the 3000 or 4000 level		12
Total Credit Hours		24

Honours in Global Development Studies

1. To obtain an honours degree in Global Development Studies, a student must consult with the department chair, be admitted to the honours program, and complete all pertinent program requirements. More specifically:
   1. To be admitted to the program, a student must satisfy Faculty of Arts requirements for entry into an honours program, must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and must have secured a supervisor. The department chair can help facilitate the matching of a student with a potential supervisor;
   2. To graduate from the program, a student must satisfy the pertinent Faculty of Arts requirements, and must complete the equivalent of sixty (60) credit hours in the GDS honours program as outlined below; and
   3. To graduate from the program, a student must also receive a minimum grade of B+ (3.30) in Honours Seminar in Development Studies (GDST 4501) and Honours Thesis Research (GDST 4502)
2. For the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Global Development Studies, all students must complete no fewer than sixty (60) credit hours, as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
GDST 1000	Global Development in Turbulent Times	3
GDST 2301	Global Development: History & Perspectives	3
GDST 2302	Global Development: Policies and Issues	3
GDST 3401	The Political Economy of Development	3
GDST 3424	Research & Action in Development	3
GDST 4501	Honours Seminar in Development Studies	3
GDST 4502	Honours Thesis Research	3
Select eighteen GDST credit hours at the 2000- or 3000-level		18
Select twenty-one GDST credit hours at the 4000-level		21
Total Credit Hours		60