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DES426

Issues in Social Development

This course, Issues in Social Development, is designed for development studies students. It explores the concept of development through various theories, including modernization, bourgeoisie, and dependency theories. The course examines the roles of institutions such as family, education, housing, and health in driving development. It emphasizes human rights, social inclusiveness, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Students will analyze national and global efforts to address development challenges and maintain environmental sustainability.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
52 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

DES426 · MODULE 1 Unit 1: Concept of Social Development

Development whether it is social, economic or political, is the result of society’s capacity to organize resources to meet challenges and opportunities. Society passed through well-defined stages in the course of development. They are nomadic, hunting and gathering, rural agrarian, urban, commercial, industrial and post industrial societies. Pioneers introduce new ideas, practices, and habits that conservative elements initially resist.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define and differentiate key concepts in social development.
  2. Analyze the roles of social institutions in development processes.
  3. Evaluate the impact of urbanization on social development.
  4. Assess the importance of human rights and gender equality in development.
  5. Examine the challenges of environmental sustainability.
  6. Apply development theories to real-world scenarios.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Development Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Policy Analyst
  • Community Development Coordinator
  • NGO Program Manager
Where it is applied
  • Government
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • International Development Agencies
  • Community Development
  • Social Services

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: CONCEPTS AND THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

    Unit 3: THEORY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

    Dependency theory requires understanding complex relationships between core and periphery nations and historical context of colonialism.

  • Module 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT

    Unit 4: THE POLITY AND DEVELOPMENT

    Understanding the interplay between political institutions and development requires grasping diverse political theories and historical events.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: CONCEPTS AND THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 1: Concept of Social Development · 2 hours

      Define development and social development.. Discuss the importance of social development in the Nigerian context..

  2. Week 2Module 1: CONCEPTS AND THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 2: CONCEPT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: URBANISATION · 2 hours

      Define urbanization.. Explain the factors responsible for urbanization in Nigeria.. Describe the process of urbanization and the role of the informal sector..

  3. Week 3Module 1: CONCEPTS AND THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 3: THEORY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT · 2 hours

      Explain the Bourgeoisie/Modernization theory.. Discuss the Dependency theory of social development.. Analyze the Globalization theory..

  4. Week 4Module 1: CONCEPTS AND THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 4: THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT – THE SOCIAL LEANING, PSYCHO-ANALYTICS THEORY · 2 hours

      Describe the Social Learning theory.. Explain the Psycho-Analytic theory.. Discuss the Structural Change model of social development..

  5. Week 5Module 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 1: THE FAMILY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT · 2 hours

      Discuss the role of the family institution in social development.. Describe the role of education in social development.. Analyze the relationship between family, education, and Nigeria's development..

  6. Week 6Module 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTION AND DEVELOPMENT: HOUSING · 2 hours

      Discuss the importance of housing in development.. Analyze housing policies in Nigeria.. Identify major institutional challenges to mass housing in Nigeria..

  7. Week 7Module 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 3: SOCIAL INSTITUTION AND DEVELOPMENT: THE HEALTH SECTOR · 2 hours

      Define health and discuss its relationship with development.. Discuss the health system and health programs in Nigeria.. Explain emerging health challenges in Nigeria..

  8. Week 8Module 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
    • Unit 4: THE POLITY AND DEVELOPMENT · 2 hours

      Define politics and its role in development.. Discuss political development within the Nigerian context.. Analyze the challenges of political development in Nigeria..

  9. Week 9Module 3: CHILDREN / WOMENS RIGHT AND EDUCATION
    • Unit 1: CHILDREN AND EDUCATION · 2 hours

      Discuss education as a natural right of the child.. Analyze government policies toward promoting and protecting the child's right to education.. Identify challenges to the enforcement of the child's right to education..

  10. Week 10Module 3: CHILDREN / WOMENS RIGHT AND EDUCATION
    • Unit 2: WOMENS RIGHT AND EDUCATION · 2 hours

      Give an account of events that provoked agitation for women's rights.. Discuss the gender gap in Nigeria in education, economy, and other sectors.. Identify government policies promoting women's right to education..

  11. Week 11Module 3: CHILDREN / WOMENS RIGHT AND EDUCATION
    • Unit 3: GENDER EQUALITY AND AFFIRMATIVE RIGHT ACTIONS · 2 hours

      Explain the concept of gender.. Highlight factors responsible for women's marginalization.. Discuss gender affirmative action in Nigeria..

  12. Week 12Module 3: CHILDREN / WOMENS RIGHT AND EDUCATION
    • Unit 4: GENDER LEGISLATION AND RESPONSES · 2 hours

      Discuss Nigeria's response to gender issues.. Explain the purpose of the Beijing conference and other conferences.. Discuss the global response to the plight of women..

  13. Week 13Module 4: ENVIROMENT SUSTAINABILITY/ THE STATE AND CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL, DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.
    • Unit 1: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINBILITY AND CHALLENGES · 2 hours

      Discuss environmental threat and security.. Identify challenges posed to the global environment.. Explain responses to addressing these challenges..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a study schedule allocating specific time slots for each module and unit.
  • Summarize key concepts and theories from each unit in your own words.
  • Practice applying development theories to case studies and real-world examples.
  • Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and identify areas for improvement.
  • Focus on understanding the relationships between social institutions and development outcomes.
  • Prepare concise notes on key legislation and policies related to human rights and environmental sustainability.
  • Practice answering essay questions under timed conditions to improve exam writing skills.

Questions students ask about this course

What is DES426 about?

This course, Issues in Social Development, is designed for development studies students. It explores the concept of development through various theories, including modernization, bourgeoisie, and dependency theories. The course examines the roles of institutions such as family, education, housing, and health in driving development. It emphasizes human rights, social inclusiveness, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Students will analyze national and global efforts to address development challenges and maintain environmental sustainability.

How many units does DES426 have?

DES426, Issues in Social Development, has 16 units across 4 modules, over 123 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is DES426?

DES426 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.

Is DES426 hard?

DES426 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does DES426 take to study?

About 52 hours of study, spread across its 16 units.

How is DES426 assessed?

DES426 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What can I do with DES426?

Development Officer, Social Worker, Policy Analyst, Community Development Coordinator and NGO Program Manager.

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