Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
PHL362Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Philosophy of Development

This course focuses on the idea of development and the philosophical problems that arise from development theories and practices. It discusses the nature and meaning of development, theories of development, some contemporary perspectives on development, and the intersection between development and philosophy. The course explores key concepts in the analysis of culture, politics and economy of the third-world countries. The aim is to show how development inspires these cultural, economic, and sociopolitical constructs.

Take a Practice TestGenerate AI Study Notes

Take a practice test or generate AI study notes to help you excel in this course.

208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
PhilosophyDevelopmentTheoriesCultureModernization

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

Philosophy

2

Development Theories

3

Culture

4

Modernization

5

Social Progress

6

Economic Development

7

Human Development

8

Political Development

Total Topics8 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

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Development Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-Governmental OrganizationsInternational Development AgenciesResearch InstitutionsConsulting Firms

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Defining Philosophy

4h

Unit 1: Further Reflections on Philosophy

4 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to philosophy and its various conceptions.
  • •Distinguish between philosophy as a worldview and philosophy as critical thinking.
  • •Discuss the under-labourer, master scientist, and analytic conceptions of philosophy.
Week
2

Module 2: Understanding Development

4h

Unit 1: The Concept of Development

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of development and its different conceptual perspectives.
  • •Explore the humanist, economic, and emotivist views of development.
  • •Highlight the goals of development.
Week
3

Module 2: Understanding Development

4h

Unit 2: Some Perspectives on Development

4 study hours
  • •Discuss people-centered, participatory, and distributive justice approaches to development.
  • •Distinguish between people-centered development and participatory development.
  • •Explain why all development is human development.
Week
4

Module 2: Understanding Development

5h

Unit 3: Theories of Development

5 study hours
  • •Examine the modernization theory of development, its assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • •Understand Rostow's phases of development and the classical views on modernization.
  • •Critically analyze the unidirectional nature of modernization and its Western-centric approach.
Week
5

Module 2: Understanding Development

5h

Unit 4: Marxist View of Development

5 study hours
  • •Discuss the dependency theory of development and its requirements for creating conditions of development.
  • •Understand the dependency model and its hypothesis concerning development in Third World countries.
  • •Compare and contrast the dependency theory with the theory of the world system.
Week
6

Module 3: Alternative Conceptions of Development

4h

Unit 1: Sustainable development

4 study hours
  • •Define sustainable development and its relevance.
  • •Discuss the principles and aims of sustainable development.
  • •Understand the relationship between ecological sustainability and sustainable development.
Week
7

Module 3: Alternative Conceptions of Development

4h

Unit 2: Human development

4 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of human development and its principles.
  • •Discuss the theories of human development, including psychosexual, psychosocial, and social learning theories.
  • •Understand the relevance of the Human Development Index.
Week
8

Module 3: Alternative Conceptions of Development

4h

Unit 3: Economic development

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of economic development, its objectives, and principles.
  • •Differentiate economic development from economic growth.
  • •Explore the role of human resources, physical capital, technology, and natural resources in economic development.
Week
9

Module 3: Alternative Conceptions of Development

4h

Unit 4: Political and Social development

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the concepts of political and social development.
  • •Explain the stages of political development and factors affecting social and political development.
  • •Understand the relevance of political and social development in improving the quality of life.
Week
10

Module 4: The Idea of Culture and Human Progress

4h

Unit 1: Defining Culture

4 study hours
  • •Define culture and discuss its relevance.
  • •Explore the elements, types, and characteristics of culture.
  • •Understand the role of culture in shaping identity and social life.
Week
11

Module 4: The Idea of Culture and Human Progress

4h

Unit 2: Cultural Evolution

4 study hours
  • •Understand the history, meaning, and theories of cultural evolution.
  • •Differentiate between unilineal and multilinear theories of cultural evolution.
  • •Discuss the stages of cultural evolution and their characteristics.
Week
12

Module 4: The Idea of Culture and Human Progress

8h

Unit 3: Social Progress

4 study hours
  • •Define social progress and its dimensions.
  • •Explain the goals of social progress and its determinants.
  • •Understand the role of social progress in improving the quality of life.

Unit 4: Modernization

4 study hours
  • •Analyze the concept of modernization and its categories.
  • •Discuss the goals of modernization and its strengths and weaknesses.
  • •Understand the transformation from traditional to modern societies.
Week
13

Module 5: The Idea of a Philosophy of Development

8h

Unit 1: Relevance of the Idea of a Philosophy of Development

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the inevitability of philosophy in development discourse.
  • •Understand the connection between philosophy and development.
  • •Highlight the humanist, emotivist, and economic views of development.

Unit 2: Philosophy and Some Development Issues

4 study hours
  • •Understand the normative function of philosophy.
  • •Highlight development issues that interest philosophers, such as justice, focus of development, global poverty, and production hazards.
  • •Discuss how philosophers attempt to create a better understanding of these issues.

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

Review all module introductions to understand key concepts.

2

Create concept maps linking theories of development (Units 3-4 in Module 2).

3

Practice applying philosophical principles to real-world development issues.

4

Focus on understanding the different perspectives on development (humanist, emotivist, economic).

5

Allocate study time evenly across all modules, but prioritize difficult units.

6

Form study groups to discuss and clarify complex concepts.

7

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback provided.

8

Create summaries of each unit, highlighting key terms and concepts.

9

Practice answering essay questions related to the learning outcomes.

10

Allocate time for revision and practice exams in the final weeks.

Related Courses

Other courses in Arts that complement your learning

YOR321

Syntax of Yoruba II

2 Units
ENG372

English Poetry

3 Units
CRS311

Gospel Of John

2 Units
View All Arts Courses