Power, Participation and Social Change at Institute of Development Studies - UCAS

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Course summary

Achieving social justice in a rapidly changing and increasingly unequal world is a major challenge. On this MA, you’ll tackle this challenge so you can contribute to positive change. On this course you’ll learn to articulate your understandings of power and participation. You’ll have the opportunity to connect what you learn to what interests you most in the social change arena. This MA is for you if you’re an aspiring or experienced development practitioner, social activist or professional with some background in social change action through work volunteering or activism. During your studies, you’ll gain skills, develop ideas and learn methods that help you to: critically reflect on your own experience, work, and practice learn about different conceptual and methodological approaches to power participation and social change develop your analysis and facilitation skills to support and interpret participatory research and deliberation processes in a range of settings. World-leaders in development studies The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally. IDS is ranked first in the world for development studies, in partnership with the University of Sussex. Who is the degree for? This MA is for aspiring and experienced development practitioners, social activists, and professionals. Whatever your level of formal experience, we expect you to bring some personal background in social change action, gained through work, volunteering or activism, which you wish to reflect on and analyse during the course. You will also have an interest in critical academic enquiry.

Modules

Autumn Foundations of Power, Participation and Social Change (core) Power and Social Perspectives on Development (core) Spring Designing Critical Enquiry (core) Aid and Poverty: the Political Economy of International Development Assistance Business as a Development Actor Climate Change and Development Competing in the Green Economy Debating Poverty and Vulnerability: Policy and Programming Democracy and Public Policy Development in Cities Governance of Violent Conflict and (In)security Health and Development Nutrition Poverty, Violence and Conflict Public Financial Management Reflective and Creative Practice for Social Change Sustainability and Policy Processes: Issues in Agriculture, Environment and Health The Politics of Gender Theory and Practice of Impact Evaluation Unruly Politics Summer Dissertation Participation, Power and Social Change (core)

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through term papers, coursework assignments, presentations, practical exercises, an action research group project, and a 15,000-word synthesis paper.


Entry requirements

Successful applicants will have a first or upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree in the social sciences or a related subject, and preferably two years of work experience in development or social change. Applications must be accompanied by a CV and detailed two-page personal statement, explaining why you are applying for the degree and the relevance of your previous experience. The course is taught in English. To derive the maximum benefit from the course, participants should be proficient in English and able to take an active part in discussions. The minimum requirement is, for example, an IELTS grade of 7.0 overall and no less than 6.5 in each section of the IELTS test.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Additional fee information

If you study part time over two years, you’ll be charged 50% of the equivalent full-time fee in each year of study. Your second-year fee – if you continue your studies without a break – will be subject to a 3% increase (subject to rounding).
Power, Participation and Social Change at Institute of Development Studies - UCAS