Course summary

Drawing in the research expertise and practical experience of the Department of Economic History and the Department of International Development, this joint programme provides you with a unique opportunity to combine the study of the processes, policy and practice of contemporary development with the study of long-run global processes of growth and divergence. How societies overcome poverty to create healthy, wealthy and sustainable societies - and why some persistently fail to achieve this - are common questions in Development Studies and Economic History. By combining courses from both fields, you will pursue a high quality programme that combines the in-depth analysis of longer-run historical patterns of growth, explorations of concrete development problems - and policy responses to them, and 'regional' courses that draw on theory and empirical evidence to appraise long and short-run development processes and outcomes in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The programme brings together the analysis of long-run growth with modern approaches to development policy and practice. The full-unit core course in Development introduces you to the theories and historical experience of development, as well as cutting-edge policy debates. The core couse in Economic History gives you a rigorous exposure to core issues involved in analysing long-run historical change. You will choose from a wide range of elective courses in both departments, allowing you to compile a programme according to your interests and goals, and will write a dissertation on an approved topic of your choice. The programme brings together students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. It is relevant for students planning a career in development work, including international and national agencies and NGOs, as well as international business. The programme also provides a good foundation for doctoral level social science research and careers in the media.