Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Roots of Development
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
The opening hours for students will be on Thursday, from 19:00 to 20:00.
Introduction
The Roots of Development course aims to approach the reality of human and social development from a comprehensive and global perspective. It is about understanding what makes societies prosper at all levels within a framework of social cohesion, while identifying the main obstacles to this and the causes of the situations of exclusion and poverty that continue to exist in the world.
The course has a first block of a more theoretical nature. Firstly, an introduction to integral human anthropology will be carried out, that is, an analysis of the main dimensions of the human person and the need for a balanced and full development of them. From this anthropological scheme, the various facets of the social life of peoples (material, technological, economic, political, national, labor, cultural, ecological, etc.) will be analyzed and how they can develop without obstacles. This first block of the course will end with a review of the main theoretical models that have been given on the idea and practice of development.
From here, the subject will move on to a more practical socio-political block, where different structural elements that contribute to the development of societies will be analyzed. For example, the role of institutions and the rule of law for economic prosperity and social balance will be studied. The importance of work and a fair labor framework will be addressed. The meaning of the family and universal education for social health will be assessed. The role played by freedom, incentives and subsidiarity for collective progress will be emphasized. The role of the tax system, the social protection model, equal opportunities and the participation of all (with equality between women and men) in the configuration of socio-political life will be emphasized. The persistence of inequalities between North and South, the scourge of corruption and the dynamics that lead to exclusion and poverty will be analyzed. Finally, the role of global governance for a fairer world will be addressed.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisite is demanded.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
- Analyze in depth the social problems and the keys to human development and social transformation.
- Identify the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Social Economy and the Third Sector at the regional, state and international levels. Understand the role of quality institutions for economic prosperity and human well-being.
- Evaluate local and global challenges and strategies in the areas of human rights, equality, poverty reduction, quality education, decent work, equality between men and women, climate sustainability, inclusion social, universal health, democratic institutions or cooperation for peace.
- Differentiate the various types of organizations that exist in the world of cooperation and solidarity economy. Understand their differences in nature, operation and potential, as well as their legal and financial fit.
- Lead entities and projects with a social mission using multidisciplinary strategic and organizational management skills.
- Apply management and fundrasing strategies to guarantee the financial sustainability of a non-profit organization.
- Operate in the complex environment of the interaction logic between the public, private and third sectors.
- Integrate the functioning of institutional communication in a digital environment and the ways of creating community to strengthen a social project.
- Actively promote social innovation and entrepreneurship projects at the service of the common good.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student is able to substantiate the need for integral human development based on the dignity of the person and through a careful understanding of the concepts of person and human dignity, and a broad and deep description of the different spheres and dimensions of their being and acting.
The student is able to identify the main theories and practices of development that have occurred throughout history, together with the ideologies that support them, and the successes and shortcomings that each of them presents.
The student has developed a personal and critical view on development, which he is able to present and defend, with its strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
The student is able to recognize and prioritize the key elements for the development of people and towns, the human and social conditions that favor it and the main challenges that hinder it.
Syllabus
Block 1: Anthropology
- The person
- The structure of the person
- Human action
- The others
Block 2: Development Theories and Practices
- Theories, strategies and ideologies
- Historical overview
- Integral Human Development
Block 3: Key issues and challenges in Development
- Rights
- Peace
- Education
- Water
- Food
- Health
- Shelter
- Governance
- Environment
- Means
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course includes the following activities and methodology:
- Master classes: 10%
- Conferences and Specific seminars: 4%
- Visits and outings: 4%
- Group dynamics and activities in class: 15%
- Personal work in class: 15%
- Personal assignments: 12%
- Group assignments: 12%
- Personal study: 24%
- Final exam: 2%
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
In accordance with the university's policy, class attendance is mandatory, that is to say, the student must attend a minimum of 80% of the classes in order to pass the course.
In the first call, the course grade will be calculated based on the following tasks and weightings:
- Attitude and participation in class: 10%
- Personal assignments: 25%
- Group assignments: 25%
- Final exam: 40%
In the second call, the course grade will be calculated based on the result obtained in the make-up exam, up to a maximum of 5 points, and the attitude, participation and work developed in class throughout the course, up to a maximum of 2 points. The maximum grade in the second call, therefore, can in no case be higher than 7 points on a scale of 10 points.
Bibliography and resources
Block 1: Anthropology
- Basic text: Burgos, J. M. (2022). Personalist Anthropology: A philosophical guide to life. Vernon Press.
Block 2: Development Theories and Practices
- Basic text: Willis, K. (2020). Theories and practices of development. Routledge.
Block 3: Key issues and challenges in Development
- A basic reference text is not available for this block. The bibliography and resources corresponding to this block are numerous and diverse, and will be shared with the students throughout the course.