Theories of Social Development
- Social Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 89 pages
- 10 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of DES309, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
DES309 · UNIT 2 FACTORS AND AGENTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The notion that development is multidimensional points to the fact that development manifests in different facets of life and society. Beyond economic growth and improvement in technology, other aspects of development include cultural development, human development, geo- political development and environmental development. All of these are considered the different dimensions of development.
What you should be able to do
- Define and explain the concept of social development.
- Identify and analyze the factors and agents that influence social development.
- Evaluate different development theories and their relevance to social development.
- Assess the role of politics and governance in promoting or hindering social development.
- Analyze the social development challenges specific to Nigeria.
- Examine the relationship between rural development and overall social development.
- Discuss the impact of gender issues on social development.
What it prepares you for
- Social Worker
- Development Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Community Development Manager
- Gender Specialist
- Government Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- International Development Agencies
- Community Development Programs
- Social Welfare Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
Unit 2: Approaches to Social development (Statist, Enterprise, Populist, etc.)
Understanding the nuances and practical applications of different social development approaches requires critical analysis and comparative thinking.
- Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
Unit 1: Social development challenges in Nigeria
Analyzing the complex interplay of political factors and governance structures in addressing social development challenges requires a deep understanding of the Nigerian context.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development
Unit 1: The meaning and Definitions of Social Development · 2 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 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 2Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development
Unit 3: Dimensions of Social development · 2 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 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 3Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
Unit 1: Development theories and Social development · 2 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 4Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
Unit 2: Approaches to Social development (Statist, Enterprise, Populist, etc.) · 2 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 5Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
Unit 3: Politics, Governance and Social development · 2 hours
Explain the meaning of politics and governance.. Show how Politics and Governance impact on social development..
- Week 6Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
Unit 4: Policies for Social development · 2 hours
Explain the key definitions of policy and social policy.. Mention some of types and implications of social policies..
- Week 7Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
Unit 1: Social development challenges in Nigeria · 2 hours
Explain some of the challenges of social development policies in Nigeria.. Discuss policy actions for Social development in Nigeria..
- Week 8Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
Unit 2: Rural development and Social development in Nigeria · 2 hours
Discuss the processes of rural development.. Discuss the implications of rural development.. Discuss the development challenges associated with rural development..
- Week 9Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
Unit 3: Gender issues and Social development in Nigeria · 2 hours
Explain the concept of gender.. Explain the politics of gender.. Explain the relationship between gender and development..
- Week 10Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development
Unit 1: Review of Key Concepts · 2 hours
Review Module 1: Understanding the concept of Social development. Revise key concepts and definitions of social development..
- Week 11Module 2: Social development theories and Practice
Unit 1: Review of Key Theories · 2 hours
Review Module 2: Social development theories and Practice. Revise key theories and approaches to social development..
- Week 12Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
Unit 1: Review of Key Issues · 2 hours
Review Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria. Revise key challenges and issues in social development in Nigeria..
- Week 13Module 3: Social development theories and practice Nigeria
Unit 1: Final Revision · 2 hours
Complete all outstanding assignments and TMAs.. Prepare for the final examination by reviewing all course materials..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each module and unit.
- Focus on understanding the key concepts and theories of social development.
- Review and summarize the main points of each unit, focusing on definitions, factors, and challenges.
- Practice applying development theories to real-world scenarios and case studies.
- Pay close attention to the specific social development challenges and issues in Nigeria.
- Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and incorporate feedback into your study notes.
- Create concept maps linking different modules and units to reinforce connections between topics.
- Practice answering essay questions related to the learning outcomes of each module.
- Form a study group with other students to discuss and clarify difficult concepts.
- Review past exam papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format and types of questions.
- Prioritize studying the peak difficulty periods identified in the course guide.
- Allocate extra time to review and understand the statistical data and indicators related to social development in Nigeria.
- Ensure you understand the policy actions for social development in Nigeria.
Questions students ask about this course
What is DES309 about?
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.
How many units does DES309 have?
DES309, Theories of Social Development, has 10 units across 3 modules, over 89 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is DES309?
DES309 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.
Is DES309 hard?
DES309 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does DES309 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.
How is DES309 assessed?
DES309 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with DES309?
Social Worker, Development Officer, Policy Analyst, Community Development Manager and Gender Specialist.