Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
DES309Social Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Theories of Social Development

This course introduces students to the definitions, theories, and perspectives of social development. It explores the dimensions of social development and examines development concerns in Nigeria. The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of social development concepts, factors, and challenges. It also covers emerging issues in social development practices and the connection between rural development and social development in Nigeria.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Social DevelopmentDevelopment TheoriesNigeriaRural DevelopmentGender Issues

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Definitions of Social Development

2

Factors and Agents of Social Development

3

Dimensions of Social Development

4

Development Theories

5

Approaches to Social Development

6

Politics and Governance

7

Social Policies

8

Social Development Challenges in Nigeria

9

Rural Development in Nigeria

10

Gender Issues in Nigeria

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Development Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Development Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Gender Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Government AgenciesNon-Governmental OrganizationsInternational Development AgenciesCommunity Development ProgramsSocial Welfare Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development

4h

Unit 1: The meaning and Definitions of Social Development

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction to understand the basic concepts in social development.
  • •Explain the concept of development and its various attributes.
  • •Discuss how social development derives from the general notion of development.
  • •Explain the theoretical foundation of the various definitions of social development.

Unit 2: Factors and Agents of Social development

2 study hours
  • •Identify the various factors of social development.
  • •Mention some of the agents of social development.
  • •Explain the implications of each of these factors or agents for social development.
Week
2

Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development

4h

Unit 3: Dimensions of Social development

2 study hours
  • •Describe how infrastructural development impacts of social development.
  • •Explain how human development connects to social development.
  • •Explain the challenges of sustainable development as a factor of social development.

Unit 4: Implications and Challenges of Social development

2 study hours
  • •Explain in more details the meaning of social development.
  • •Mention some of the implications of social development.
  • •Discuss the challenges of social development in the context of developing and underdeveloped societies.
Week
3

Module 2: Social development theories and Practice

2h

Unit 1: Development theories and Social development

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the key concerns of linear stages theories, showing their basic assumptions and suppositions.
  • •Explain the key concerns of structural change models, showing their basic assumptions and suppositions.
  • •Explain the key concerns of neoclassical theories, showing their basic assumptions and suppositions.
Week
4

Module 2: Social development theories and Practice

2h

Unit 2: Approaches to Social development (Statist, Enterprise, Populist, etc.)

2 study hours
  • •Explain the differences between the Statist, Populist, and Enterprise approaches to social development.
  • •Use these approaches to explain the development challenges in some societies.
Week
5

Module 2: Social development theories and Practice

2h

Unit 3: Politics, Governance and Social development

2 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of politics and governance.
  • •Show how Politics and Governance impact on social development.
Week
6

Module 2: Social development theories and Practice

2h

Unit 4: Policies for Social development

2 study hours
  • •Explain the key definitions of policy and social policy.
  • •Mention some of types and implications of social policies.
Week
7

Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria

2h

Unit 1: Social development challenges in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Explain some of the challenges of social development policies in Nigeria.
  • •Discuss policy actions for Social development in Nigeria.
Week
8

Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria

2h

Unit 2: Rural development and Social development in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the processes of rural development.
  • •Discuss the implications of rural development.
  • •Discuss the development challenges associated with rural development.
Week
9

Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria

2h

Unit 3: Gender issues and Social development in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of gender.
  • •Explain the politics of gender.
  • •Explain the relationship between gender and development.
Week
10

Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development

2h

Unit 1: Review of Key Concepts

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development
  • •Revise key concepts and definitions of social development.
Week
11

Module 2: Social development theories and Practice

2h

Unit 1: Review of Key Theories

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
  • •Revise key theories and approaches to social development.
Week
12

Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria

2h

Unit 1: Review of Key Issues

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
  • •Revise key challenges and issues in social development in Nigeria.
Week
13

Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria

2h

Unit 1: Final Revision

2 study hours
  • •Complete all outstanding assignments and TMAs.
  • •Prepare for the final examination by reviewing all course materials.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each module and unit.

2

Focus on understanding the key concepts and theories of social development.

3

Review and summarize the main points of each unit, focusing on definitions, factors, and challenges.

4

Practice applying development theories to real-world scenarios and case studies.

5

Pay close attention to the specific social development challenges and issues in Nigeria.

6

Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and incorporate feedback into your study notes.

7

Create concept maps linking different modules and units to reinforce connections between topics.

8

Practice answering essay questions related to the learning outcomes of each module.

9

Form a study group with other students to discuss and clarify difficult concepts.

10

Review past exam papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format and types of questions.

11

Prioritize studying the peak difficulty periods identified in the course guide.

12

Allocate extra time to review and understand the statistical data and indicators related to social development in Nigeria.

13

Ensure you understand the policy actions for social development in Nigeria.

Related Courses

Other courses in Social Sciences that complement your learning

INR321

Foreign Policy Analysis

3 Units
TSM342

Concept, Design And Feasibility I

2 Units
BCJ322

Community Broadcasting

3 Units
View All Social Sciences Courses