This course gives students the opportunity to undertake detailed study of the literature describing contemporary development issues and practices, such as micro-credit, participatory land-use planning, enterprise development, community health programs, and gender practice. In collaboration with the Course Convenor, students individually choose one key issue of interest to them and focus on a sustained period of desk-based research into the relevant literature. (There is no expectation of field work for this course, and this would generally not be encouraged.) A supervisor with knowledge or experience in the relevant field of study will be nominated, with whom the student is expected to schedule regular contact for advice and support.

The course requires the student to:

• identify a topic and scope the research task (agreeing a set of interim tasks), including the preparation of key questions to be addressed;
• review any theoretical literature related to the topic as well as documented case studies where appropriate;
• prepare a series of short notes (covering the sub-themes or topics hat will comprise the final paper) to discuss with the supervisor during regular meetings;
• prepare a short seminar presentation if appropriate; and
• produce a research paper (5,000 words).

Students who satisfy the requirements of this course will have the knowledge and skills:

• to scope, plan, implement and report on a limited desk-based research task with minimal direction; and
• to demonstrate critical appreciation of a particular development issue.