Geographic Perspectives on International Development

The focus of this course is the development process in the non-Western World. We will examine why there has been a need for "development"; what is the relationship of "development" to "underdevelopment"; and whether this relationship has resulted in dependence, independence, or interdependence. We will focus on the contribution of development to progress of the non-Western World, on the one hand, and to its stagnation, on the other. We will examine specific issues like food, population, the environment, the rural scene, the urban scene, and the general political and economic scenes. We will question the underlying assumptions of development, examine the role and the possibilities of development from within, and maintain a critical view of Western development. 3 hrs. lect.