SD-450: Africa’s Economic Development

This course covers the complex issues associates with economic, social and political development on the African continent. It mentions successes but also persistent failures, some of them associated with a faulty approach to international aid.

• Credit value: 3 or 4 (US standard) | 6 or 8 (ECTS standard)
• Indicative duration (full time): 4-6 weeks
• Indicative duration (part-time): 5-8 weeks
• Certificate: Yes

This course is based on standard EUCLID methodology. Students may refer to the following resources:

Academic Guidelines (HQ version)
Academic Guidelines (most recent version even if unofficial)
Student Orientation Guidelines (most recent version even if unofficial)
Zotero instructions for EUCLID students
Grammarly instructions for EUCLID students

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• discuss the background and context of development in Africa, including the colonial era
• discuss development indicators, factors, and obstacles
• discuss success stories in contrast with cases of ongoing failure
• articulate criticisms of international aid mechanisms and institutions
• connect SD-450 concepts with the ECO-DEV course.

Course material is provided in the form of embedded videos, audio MP3s, and/or downloadable PDFs.