ID is one of the four programs in the Department of International Development, Community, and Environment (IDCE). The other three programs are Community Development and Planning, Environmental Science and Policy, and Geographic Information Sciences for Development and Environment. Master’s degrees are offered in these four programs. There are two undergraduate majors within IDCE: International Development and Social Change [ID] and Environmental Science and Policy [ES&P].
ID 125: Tales from the Far Side and ID 120: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology are excellent exploratory courses if you are interested in the ID major. Both courses satisfy the Comparative Perspective of the Program of Liberal Studies [PLS]. ID 125 is also a required core course. ID 120 can serve as a core course or a skills course for the ID major. You can also take a number of other ID courses that help explore the major and satisfy the PLS perspectives. For example:
- Comparative: ID 127: Political Economy of Development
- Historical: ID 182: Are We Modern Yet?
- Scientific: ID 085: Introduction to Mapping Science
- Formal Analysis: ID 190: Introduction to GIS
- Values: ID 138: Gender and Environment
PLS requirements allow students to sample different perspectives, which can only enhance their understanding of international development issues and give them a breadth of knowledge.
Generally first-year students are discouraged from taking 200-level courses. However, if you have a strong interest in a topic, as well as the necessary prerequisites, then you should consult with the professor of the course.
If you think you want to major in ID, you should take introductory courses such as ID 120: Cultural Anthropology or ID 125: Tales from the Far Side. ID 120 is offered in the fall semester, and ID 125 is offered in the spring semester. You should also take Econ 010 as early in your undergraduate career as possible. Although Econ 010 does not count toward the major, it is a prerequisite for the ID required course, Econ 128.
The ID major stresses creative, cross-disciplinary approaches to development. The major requires 14 units, including five core courses, four courses in an area of specialization to deepen your understanding of a particular theme or issue in international development, three methods and skills courses, one internship or directed research project, and a capstone seminar to be taken in the spring semester of your senior year. Check out the ID Majors Checklist on page 27 of this handbook.
a. Core Courses (5 units): You are required to take ID 125: Tales from the Far Side: Development and Underdevelopment; a course in development economics, such as Econ 128: Economic Development (note that Econ 010: Issues and Perspectives or equivalent is a prerequisite for Econ 128); and three additional core courses (one each) in politics of development, resource management, and socio-cultural issues.
b. Area of Specialization (4 units): You also take at least four courses in an area of specialization. You may follow established specializations — Political Economy, Conflict and Development, Gender and Development, Culture and Development, Participatory Development or Rural/Community-based Development, Resource Management, or Geographic Information Systems [GIS] — or design your own with approval of your advisor. A minimum of two courses must be at the 200-level.
c. Methods and Skills Courses (3 units): You take one course in social science research methods and two courses from the following: computer science, cultural anthropology, cartography, statistics, GIS, conflict negotiation, or a foreign language at the intermediate or advanced level.
d. Internship or Directed Field Research (1 unit): You complete an internship or field research related to international development. Students often combine this requirement with a junior year Study Abroad program.
e. Capstone Seminar (1 unit) or Honors Thesis (2 units): To explore advanced topics in international development, you take a Capstone Seminar or complete an Honors Thesis spring term of your senior year. The Honors Thesis requires two credits of Directed Research to be taken over two semesters in your senior year.
If you are interested in majoring in ID, you should take ID 120: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, ID 125: Tales from the Far Side, and Econ 10: Economics: A Comparative Approach as soon as possible. It is best to take ID 125 no later than sophomore year, especially if you plan on going abroad during the junior year. It often helps to take Econ 128: Economic Development before ID 125.
Many students decide to double major in ID and a related department. (Please note: Up to two courses may count toward both majors.) Some of the most popular double majors include ID and Economics, ID and Geography, ID and Government (especially International Relations), ID and Psychology, and ID and Sociology. One recent graduate completed a double major in ID and Studio Art. A major in ID and a minor in one of the related departments or programs, such as Women’s Studies, is another popular option.
A minor in International Development requires six units, including a core course, a skills course, and at least four courses in an area of specialization, of which no more than two credits can be from an internship or directed research. Check out the ID Minor’s Checklist on page 28 of this handbook.
a. One Core Course (1 unit): You take one of three core courses, ID 125: Tales from the Far Side, ID 120: Cultural Anthropology, or ID 131: Local Action, Global Change.
b. One Skill Course (1 unit): You take one social science research methods course, such as Psych 105: Quantitative Methods, Govt 107: Research Methods in Politics, Soc 105: Sociology Research Process, or Geography 141: Research Methods in Geography.
c. Four Courses in an Area of Specialization: You also take at least four courses in an area of specialization of which no more than two credits can be from an internship or directed research. Students may follow established specializations — Political Economy, Conflict and Development, Gender and Development, Culture and Development, Participatory Development or Rural/Community-based Development, Resource Management, or Geographic Information Systems [GIS] — or design their own with approval of the ID Major Coordinator. A minimum of two courses must be at the 200-level.
All courses with an ID prefix, including those cross-listed with other departments, count toward your ID major. See the full list of ID courses in the Clark web catalog, as well as the list of courses available during the pre-registration period each semester. It is from this list of courses, which is constantly updated, that you choose thematic core courses, as well as courses for your area of specialization. (Please note: Courses that are below the 100-level usually do not count toward the major; however, certain sub-100 courses, including ones without an ID prefix, may count toward your major if your advisor gives you written approval.)
ID majors have wide-ranging interests, and international development is, by definition, an interdisciplinary field. Therefore, ID courses are often cross-listed with other departments and programs, such as geography, psychology, sociology, government, and women’s studies. In addition, you are strongly encouraged to take language classes to fulfill your skill requirements. (Please note: Only language classes at the intermediate or higher levels count toward the major.)
In addition to the courses listed in the recommended sequence for the ID major, you should preferably take some of the three required skills and methods courses before undertaking independent research or study abroad. For example, taking appropriate language courses before going abroad is a good idea, especially since language proficiency is often a prerequisite for participation in some Study Abroad programs. (Please note: For language courses to count for the skills requirement of the ID major, you must have taken them at an intermediate level or higher.) Another good course to take is one of the research methods courses.
If you are going on study abroad to Namibia or other African countries, you might take ID 136: Sub-Saharan Africa: Issues and Problems. If you are going to Latin America (such as the Dominican Republic), you might benefit from taking ID 213: Latin American Politics.
Many Study Abroad programs focus on themes related to ID. Also, students often undertake internships or independent research projects while away. The credits you earn while you are abroad or during your semester away from Clark may count toward your major. But this is something you have to discuss with your major advisor before you go away for the semester or the year.
An internship (ID 299) is required for the major. Students often do an internship during their Study Abroad programs. Other ID majors have found internships locally at such organizations as Lutheran Community Services, Grassroots International, the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program, or the Main South Community Development Corporation.
In addition, ID 131: Local Action, Global Change introduces you to activism in a broad sense — as a tool for political action and a mechanism for social and economic change. You participate in a project at the community-level or on broader scale to learn how activism works practically. You can experience first-hand the opportunities and challenges of effecting change, protecting human rights, and raising public awareness.
Many ID majors present their research projects at Academic Spree Day each year. Some recent topics include: “Global to Local: The Transnational Effect of the AIDS Pandemic,” “A Gendered Perspective on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” and “What Does the Community Development Corporation Actually Do for the Community?”
ID majors who have completed an Honors Thesis in international development may earn a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years with the fifth year tuition free. The B.A./M.A. in International Development allows you to build your analytical skills and pursue a specific area in international development in depth.
You may wonder what you can do with a B.A. in International Development and Social Change. It may seem like a fascinating study, but does it actually lead to employment? What kinds of jobs do ID graduates have? Do ID graduates have to become development practitioners? Or do they do other things?
Check out the ID Career Sheet to see what some ID graduates are doing. You will see that they are active in many fields.
Professor Kiran Asher (kasher@clarku.edu), the coordinator of the ID Undergraduate Program, is happy to answer any questions you have. You can also speak to any of the other ID core faculty — Professors Bell, Fisher, Hammond, Fernando, and Earle. You are also encouraged to talk to current ID majors and attend the many talks, Brown Bag discussions, and other events organized through the IDCE Department at 10 Hawthorne Street.
In addition, the IDCE Department holds information sessions every semester for students considering a major or minor in ID. Check out our table at the Majors Fair, which is held each fall. Students interested in ID should speak about their interest to the ID faculty, staff, and students.