X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

International Development Studies (IDS)

Interdisciplinary Program

International Development Studies, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences

The program in International Development Studies (IDS) explores the nature and impacts of economic and social development, in Canada and across the globe, from an interdisciplinary perspective. It equips students with the theoretical understanding and analytical and practical skills needed to bring about positive and inclusive change in the world. Students completing a degree in IDS have the skills to tackle complex global problems as needed to promote social justice as citizens and in careers across the public and private sectors and in civil society organizations.

The IDS program provides students with the opportunity to engage with international development practitioners in Canada and internationally. Furthermore, they are equipped with the skills needed for effective engagement whilst as students and in their life beyond university.

Students select an area of emphasis that enables them to explore an issue of particular interest using the skills they develop in the core part of the program. This area of emphasis is selected by the end of the 4th academic semester of study.

International Development Studies students are encouraged to learn another language and to participate in relevant learning experiences beyond the IDS program, including study, work or volunteering in Canada and internationally. In addition to the required core courses and the chosen area of emphasis, students are encouraged to take electives that complement their degree and enhance their analytical and communication skills. See the GIDS website for more information on these opportunities and students can get more information from their academic advisor.

Students with a minimum cumulative average of 80% in courses that constitute the IDS major may complete a thesis (IDEV*4100 and IDEV*4150) under the supervision of an ID-affiliated faculty member.

Major (Honours Program)

A minimum of 10.50 credits is required, including:

  • 8.00 core course requirements

    2.50 credits in one of four areas of emphasis

Core Requirements - 8.00 credits

ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics
ECON*1100 [0.50] Introductory Macroeconomics
IDEV*1000 [0.50] Understanding Development and Global Inequalities
IDEV*2000 [0.50] The Development Landscape: Actors and Institutions
IDEV*2100 [0.50] Research in International Development
IDEV*2300 [0.50] Theoretical Perspectives on Development
IDEV*2400 [0.50] Development, Social Justice and Human Rights
IDEV*3000 [0.50] Poverty and Inequality
IDEV*3100 [0.50] Achieving Sustainable Development
IDEV*3300 [0.50] Engaging in Development Practice
IDEV*3400 [0.50] Managing and Evaluating Change in Development
IDEV*4000 [1.00] Development in Action
IDEV*4600 [0.50] Advocating and Effecting Change in Development Policy and Practice
Two of:
ECON*2650 [0.50] Introductory Development Economics
GEOG*3050 [0.50] Development and the City
POLS*3320 [0.50] Politics of Aid & Development
POLS*3790 [0.50] International Political Economy
SOAN*3680 [0.50] Perspectives on Development

Areas of Emphasis - 2.50 credits

Choose one of the following four Area of Emphasis:

  • Agriculture and Food Security

    Development in the Canadian Context

    Development in Fragile Contexts

    Environment and Sustainable Development

Agriculture and Food Security

This area of emphasis focuses on the nature of food security from the local to global levels. It explores the role of agriculture and the wider agri-food system in promoting food security towards the eradication of hunger and improved nutrition and health. Throughout, this area of emphasis reflects critically on the role of diverse actors and alternative approaches through which food security can be enhanced, empowering students to bring about positive, inclusive and sustainable change in agri-food systems locally and globally.

AGR*2150 [0.50] Plant Agriculture for International Development
FARE*1300 [0.50] Poverty, Food & Hunger
1.50 credits from the following:
AGR*2500 [0.50] Field Course in International Agriculture
ANTH*4550 [0.50] Topics in the Anthropology of Health
ENVS*2130 [0.50] Eating Sustainably in Ontario
FARE*3250 [0.50] Food and International Development
FARE*4210 [0.50] World Agriculture, Food Security and Economic Development
GEOG*3320 [0.50] Food Systems: Issues in Security and Sustainability
HIST*3240 [0.50] Food History
IDEV*4100 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies I
IDEV*4150 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies II
SOC*4420 [0.50] Sociology of Food
Development in the Canadian Context

This area focuses on development predominantly through the case of Canada. Issues that might be explored include: poverty, global migration, inequality, Indigenous-settler relations and food insecurity. It reflects the fact that development problems are found in all parts of the world and solutions to them must recognize the ways in which they are interconnected and distinctive. This area of emphasis aims to empower students to bring about positive, inclusive and sustainable change within Canada, and the rest of the affluent world.

ANTH*2660 [0.50] Contemporary Indigenous Peoples in Canada
POLS*2300 [0.50] Canadian Government and Politics
1.50 credits from the following:
GEOG*2510 [0.50] Canada: A Regional Synthesis
HIST*2090 [0.50] Indigenous Peoples of the Americas
HIST*3390 [0.50] Governments and Indigenous Spaces
HIST*3660 [0.50] Canadian Social History
IDEV*4100 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies I
IDEV*4150 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies II
POLS*3140 [0.50] Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
SOAN*4210 [0.50] Indigenous-Settler Relations in Canadian Society
SOAN*4220 [0.50] Gender and Change in Rural Canada
SOAN*4260 [0.50] Migration, Inequality and Social Change
Development in Fragile Contexts

This area focuses on development in the context of institutionally weak and/or unstable countries and regions. It explores issues associated with state fragility and failure, institutional development, post-conflict rebuilding and social insecurity. It also considers issues of migration, conflict, social change, and post colonialism. An overarching theme is the need for, and role of, distinct development strategies in fragile contexts, with the aim of empowering students to bring about positive, inclusive and sustainable change in some of the most challenging development contexts globally.

POLS*3490 [0.50] Conflict and Conflict Resolution
One of:
POLS*2100 [0.50] Comparative Politics
POLS*2200 [0.50] International Relations
1.50 credits from the following:
ANTH*4440 [0.50] Culture, Rights and Development
HIST*3270 [0.50] Revolution in the Modern World
IDEV*4100 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies I
IDEV*4150 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies II
POLS*3000 [0.50] Politics of Africa
POLS*3060 [0.50] Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
POLS*3080 [0.50] Politics of Latin America
POLS*4340 [1.00] Nationalism, State-building and Identity
SOAN*3130 [0.50] Protest, Resistance, and Collective Action
SOAN*4260 [0.50] Migration, Inequality and Social Change
Environment and Sustainable Development

This area of emphasis focuses on the relations between environmental change and natural resources and sustainable development. It explores the ways in which the environment and natural resources impact development, and the development challenges posed by environmental change and natural resource use locally and globally. Topics might include urbanization, erosion, natural disasters, water, natural resource, land use and climate change. Particular focus is put on approaches to development that are sustainable and address challenges associated with environmental change and natural resource use. This area of emphasis aims to empower students to bring about positive change that promotes inclusive and sustainable development locally and globally.

GEOG*2030 [0.50] Environment and Development
SOC*2280 [0.50] Society and Environment
1.50 credits from the following:
ECON*2100 [0.50] Economic Growth and Environmental Quality
ENVS*2120 [0.50] Introduction to Environmental Stewardship
FARE*2700 [0.50] Survey of Natural Resource Economics
GEOG*3020 [0.50] Global Environmental Change
GEOG*3090 [0.50] Gender and Environment
HIST*3460 [0.50] Natural Disasters in Global History
IDEV*4100 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies I
IDEV*4150 [0.50] Thesis in International Development Studies II
POLS*3370 [0.50] Environmental Politics and Governance
SOAN*4250 [0.50] Energy and Society

Area of Concentration (General Program)

A minimum of 5.00 credits is required, including:
ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics
ECON*1100 [0.50] Introductory Macroeconomics
IDEV*1000 [0.50] Understanding Development and Global Inequalities
IDEV*2000 [0.50] The Development Landscape: Actors and Institutions
IDEV*2300 [0.50] Theoretical Perspectives on Development
Two of:
IDEV*2400 [0.50] Development, Social Justice and Human Rights
IDEV*3000 [0.50] Poverty and Inequality
IDEV*3100 [0.50] Achieving Sustainable Development
IDEV*3400 [0.50] Managing and Evaluating Change in Development
IDEV*4600 [0.50] Advocating and Effecting Change in Development Policy and Practice
One of:
ECON*2650 [0.50] Introductory Development Economics
GEOG*3050 [0.50] Development and the City
POLS*3320 [0.50] Politics of Aid & Development
POLS*3790 [0.50] International Political Economy
SOAN*3680 [0.50] Perspectives on Development
A minimum of 1.00 credits taken from any of the four areas of emphasis of the Major, at least 0.50 being at the 3000 or 4000 levels.

Minor (Honours Program)

A minimum of 5.00 credits is required, including:
ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics
ECON*1100 [0.50] Introductory Macroeconomics
IDEV*1000 [0.50] Understanding Development and Global Inequalities
IDEV*2000 [0.50] The Development Landscape: Actors and Institutions
IDEV*2300 [0.50] Theoretical Perspectives on Development
Two of:
IDEV*2400 [0.50] Development, Social Justice and Human Rights
IDEV*3000 [0.50] Poverty and Inequality
IDEV*3100 [0.50] Achieving Sustainable Development
IDEV*3400 [0.50] Managing and Evaluating Change in Development
IDEV*4600 [0.50] Advocating and Effecting Change in Development Policy and Practice
One of:
ECON*2650 [0.50] Introductory Development Economics
GEOG*3050 [0.50] Development and the City
POLS*3320 [0.50] Politics of Aid & Development
POLS*3790 [0.50] International Political Economy
SOAN*3680 [0.50] Perspectives on Development
A minimum of 1.00 credits taken from any of the four areas of emphasis of the Major, at least 0.50 being at the 3000 or 4000 levels.
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120