Master's Programme in Global Development, Crisis and Change

Generelt opptakskrav er bachelorgrad eller tilsvarende utdanning av minimum tre års omfang (180 studiepoeng).

I opptaksgrunnlaget skal det inngå

1. Enten: fordypningsenhet innen samfunnsvitenskap på minst 80 studiepoeng

Eller: integrert studium av to års varighet innen samfunnsvitenskap

2. Minst 7,5 studiepoeng innen samfunnsvitenskapelig metode.

Det stilles krav om vektet gjennomsnittskarakter på C eller bedre.

The general requirement is completed bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration (180 ECTS). Other requirements:

1. Either: a major subject of at least 80 ECTS within the social sciences.
   
   Or: an integrated programme of at least two years duration within the social sciences.

Examples of relevant fields of study: Development Studies, Planning, Geography, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Politics and Business Administration.

1. Social science methods, at least 7,5 ECTS.

A weighted, average grade of C or better is required.

For further information, see regulations concerning admission to programmes and courses at the University of Agder, § 24 https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia.

The teaching methodology builds on a team-based and problem-based learning platform with extensive use of case-based teaching and field studies. Students will be trained in conducting case studies, and to propose strategies for specific development and planning challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. They will also be trained in how to approach their own and foreign cultures through an everyday perspective.

All courses except the field course are given as e-learning courses. The pedagogy in the programme is mainly focused on learning through group work, discussions, joint exercises and individual assignments with guidance and feedback from the tutor and lecturer.

In addition to the net-based course delivery, there are two face-to-face sessions. The first face-to-face session is compulsory and takes place in Kristiansand in the beginning of the study programme in August (two weeks). The second face-to-face session will take place in a developing country in May/June (four weeks), in the second semester. There will be an alternative field course for students who cannot travel for the second face-to-face. The language of instruction is English.

Each student is expected to actively participate and contribute to a good learning environment. Students will gain experience in different ways of acquiring knowledge and how this knowledge is passed on. Examples of teaching methods are lectures, group discussions and group work, fieldwork, seminars, and supervision.

The students normally do fieldwork in a developing country in connection with their master’s thesis, but this can also be carried out in Norway he fieldwork can last from 6 weeks to 3 months.

Students at UiA are expected to have laptops for use in learning and at examinations, cp. the Examination Regulations for the University of Agder section 12d.

For the master programme students depend on the use of a computer in all course. Canvas is the main digital communication platform between students and members of staff. The students are introduced to other digital resources throughout the programme.

Vil du utforske og forstå verden bedre i en tid preget av raske endringer og komplekse kriser? Lær om hvordan miljø, samfunn, økonomi og politikk enten fremmer eller hindrer utvikling.

Om studiet

Studieprogrammet setter søkelys på å forstå verden bedre i en tid preget av raske endringer og komplekse kriser. Gjennom studiet får du muligheten til å utforske og lære hvordan man kan møte og håndtere ulike kriser som fattigdom, ulikhet, pandemier, klimaendringer og miljøødeleggelser. Det er viktig for å kunne bidra til å drive positiv endring og utvikling i samfunnet.

I løpet av studiet lærer du om de underliggende årsakene til ulike krisesituasjoner, samt analysere og forstå hvordan de påvirker samfunnet sosialt og økonomisk.

Studiet gir også innsikt i hvordan kriser forstås, kommuniseres og håndteres i ulike sammenhenger, samt vise hvordan ulike kriser henger sammen. Du lærer også om hvordan kriser påvirker mennesker ulikt, på grunn av sosiale ulikheter både innenfor og på tvers av ulike kulturelle kontekster.

Studieprogrammet er et fulltidsstudium hvor undervisningen er en kombinasjon av digital undervisning på nett og fysiske samlinger (én i Kristiansand og én på Sri Lanka).

Hva lærer du?

På dette studieprogrammet vil du lære om teorier og forskning knyttet til utvikling, kriser og sosial endring. Du vil lære om hvordan teoretisk kunnskap gir innsikt for å løse praktiske problemer, men samtidig hvordan praksis kan påvirke teorier og politikk. Programmet er tverrfaglig, og du vil bli introdusert til ulike disipliner, deriblant statsvitenskap, kommunikasjon og mediefag og geografi. I tillegg vil du få kompetanse i tverrkulturell kommunikasjon og samarbeid.

Samarbeid er et grunnleggende prinsipp i programmet. Pedagogikken er studentorientert, og inkluderer gruppearbeid, diskusjoner og felles oppgaver. Undervisningen og veiledningen foregår i virtuelle klasserom. Programmet er et fulltidsstudium, og vi forventer at studentene deltar aktivt og tar ansvar for egen læring, og bidrar til utviklingen av et best mulig læringsmiljø.

Jobb- og karrieremuligheter

Aktuelle jobber er innenfor:

• Utviklingsprosesser i både offentlig og privat sektor
• Administrasjon og ledelse av utviklingsprosjekter og humanitært arbeid
• Offentlig administrasjon
• Frivillige organisasjoner, andre humanitære aktører og bedrifter
• Næringslivet med for eksempel CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• Arbeid med flyktninger og immigranter
• Diplomatiet og multilaterale organisasjoner
• Bærekraft- og klimaspørsmål på lokale og globale arenaer

The study programme combines knowledge of global and local processes of development, crisis and change based on development studies, geography, social anthropology and cultural studies, and communication and media studies. The objective is to develop a critical and analytical view on development and crisis in different contexts across the globe. Students will be trained in developing and analysing complex questions and how to collect, analyse and critically assess knowledge and knowledge production.

The programme provides methodological and theoretical tools for understanding crisis, change and development processes in different cultures at different geographical levels out of a social science perspective. The programme focuses on poverty reduction, planning and development strategies, cultural change, economic and ecological processes, power, identity and social practice.

The course offerings employ a range of theoretical and methodological tools, geared towards a critical understanding of development studies that brings together theory and practice.

In a foundational course in the first semester, the students explore theories of crisis as a concept and phenomenon, as well as empirical examples of contemporary and historical crises. Throughout the first year, the students continue to build on this work in courses exploring global challenges related to development, the environment, inequality, gender and power.

In the second semester, the students start preparing for the master thesis through a methodology course, followed by a field course. The field course is usually held in Sri Lanka, a country that has experienced several complex crises in recent history. The field course is mainly taught by local scholars and aims for the students to strengthen their methodological and ethical reflection about how situations of crisis can be studied.

In the third semester, the students take courses that explore disaster and crisis management and crisis communication. The students continue their work towards an independent thesis proposal through a thesis seminar course, before embarking on the master thesis. The fourth and final semester is entirely dedicated to the master thesis.

Global development studies is an interdisciplinary, international field, which is reflected in the courses provided in the programme. Some of the strengths of the study programme are the field courses (1st year) and fieldwork (last semester, 2nd year). The field course takes place in the global south. These opportunities provide practice-oriented knowledge, and the students acquire the ability to conduct empirical studies and participate in intercultural communication, and international and intercultural teamwork. The students often carry out fieldwork for their master’s thesis in various parts of the world, supported by our international partner universities.

The master’s programme recruits international degree students and exchange students. The department is engaged in several Erasmus+ Global Mobility partnerships that may offer scholarships for master’s students undertaking fieldwork in the global south. Our partner universities include University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), Makerere University (Uganda), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Kathmandu University (Nepal), and Universidad San Simón (Bolivia).

Students may apply to go on an exchange in the third semester. The department has exchange agreements with many universities in different parts of the world offering interesting courses within the topics of the master’s programme. For more information, please contact the study program coordinator or the department academic adviser. Further information can also be found through the following web page: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange

Normally, part of the third semester (10 ECTS) and the whole of the fourth semester (30 ECTS) will be fully devoted to writing a master's thesis. Students are encouraged to do fieldwork in connection with the master's thesis.

In the third semester, students can apply to do an internship, UT-409 (10 credits), in a relevant organization, or apply to do the SV-420 Co-creation - theory in practice (10 credits) (given in Norwegian). However, this requires an on-campus presence.

Students who do UT-409 or SV-420 and students who go on exchange in the third semester, will write a 30-credit master’s thesis (UT-506).

Graduates from the master’s programme qualify for work related to:

• development processes, in both public and private sector companies
• administration and management of development projects and humanitarian work
• public administration
• NGOs (in Norway or abroad), other humanitarian actors and agencies
• work within the business community, for example CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• work related to refugees and immigrants and other "south-to-north" work
• work in diplomacy and multilateral organizations
• work related to sustainability and climate change on both local and global arenas
• research

The master’s programme can qualify for admission to the Faculty of Social Sciences' PhD programme or other relevant PhD programmes.