ECN350 Development and Global Challanges

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Stein Terje Holden

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel.

About this course

The course focuses on global challenges and threats to/possibilities for sustainable development (SDGs). It includes controversies in development where there are competing views and theories. The global challenges include climate change and policy responses, population growth and employment creation, migration and youth unemployment, land degradation and land policies, local and global food security, impacts of the Corona pandemic, inequality and political (in-)stability/conflicts. Contradicting perspectives include theories on rationality of agents, Malthus versus Boserup, Hardin versus Ostrom, free trade versus protectionism, human rights, national sovereignty. The roles of international institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, UN organizations and International agreements are central.

Learning outcome

Students will familiarize themselves with many of the big development challenges and learn about alternative perspectives related to these, based on literature and internet sources provided through Canvas.

Each student will select two issues that they will dig deeper into and write two papers each about using a scientific style of writing. This will give them training in focusing, outlining and writing literature reviews in English.

Students will:

* Learn to search for relevant literature for their issues papers by use of Google Scholar.

* Get experience with scientific writing with careful use of references (in English).

* Learn through presenting their papers to each other (compulsory course conferences).

* Learn to give constructive written and oral comments to two papers each on the topic and how it was presented.

* Learn through the comments they get on their own papers from another student and from the teacher by revising their papers before final submission.

Learning activities
- Self-study of material in Canvas.
- Choice of two topics for two papers with focused research questions and paper outline.
- Search for relevant literature in Google Scolar for own chosen topics.
- Writing of two own papers in English with proper scientific use of references.
- Presentation of own papers for other students (and teacher).
- Give written and oral comments to two papers written by other students.
- Revise own papers based on comments from other students and the teacher.
Teaching support
Canvas material (literature, YouTube links, exercises, guidelines for essay writing).
Lectures on choice of topics, choice of research questions, outlining of papers, literature search, and writing.
Supervision related to paper topic choice, problem formulation, theoretical approach, use of literature, and writing papers.
Comments from the teacher on outlines of papers and drafts.
Comments from other students on own papers.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in Economics. English writing and speaking.
Assessment method
Portfolio evaluation, course grade (A-F) based on:
Submission of two draft papers per stated deadlines in the course. Oral presentation by the student on their own two papers in two course workshops. Provide written and oral comments to two papers by other students in the two course workshops. Revise the two own papers based on comments from other student and teacher, and the final submission of the two papers within the set deadline.
1. 2 completed and submitted papers (by the deadline set) and presentations (2*40%).
2. 2 comments given (written and oral) to two papers presented by other students (2*10%).
Portfolio Grading: Letter grades
Examiner scheme
External sensor assesses the course outline and material. The grading is done by the teacher(s).
Notes
The course is in English. Incoming students can contact student advisors at the School of Economics and Business (studieveileder-hh@nmbu.no) for admission to the course.
The course is organized jointly with a PhD-version of the course (ECN450).
Teaching hours
2 hours per week in the beginning of the semester
2 course workshops, one in the middle of the semester and one at the end of the semester
Supervision and meetings based on demand by students
Preferential right
M-GEP