Development Studies
Eleanor Townsley, Nexus director
Katie Walker, coordinator
108 Daniel L. Jones Building
413-538-3010
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/academics/find-your-program/development-studies
Overview and Contact Information
Sustainable development implies use of natural resources and organization of economic activity in ways that can be maintained indefinitely. In order for development to be sustainable, all regions of the world and all social classes must have political and economic agency. This recognizes that as people meet the needs (including social, political, cultural, economic, and health) of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to also meet their needs, they do so through fair and equitable processes of production, distribution, and consumption.
For the Development Studies Nexus, students devise their own plan in consultation with the track chair and must seek advance approval from the chair.
See Also
Faculty
This area of study is administered by the following Nexus track chairs:
Catherine Corson, Miller Worley Professor of Environmental Studies, Teaching Fall Only
Ayca Zayim, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Requirements for the Nexus
A minimum of 18 credits:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Three courses above the 100 level chosen from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair | 12 | |
One approved 300-level course from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair | 4 | |
A substantive internship 1 | ||
COLL-211 | Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education | 2 |
A presentation at LEAP Symposium | ||
Total Credits | 18 |
- 1
At least 200 work hours and responsibilities that exercise ability to think analytically and creatively, and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s stated mission and complements the student's area of focus
Additional Specifications
-
Nexus students will develop a brief proposal outlining their specific area of focus including a course outline. Students will schedule an advising meeting with a track chair to get approval and complete a Plan of Study form to be returned to the Nexus Program office.
- The sequence of a Nexus is part of what makes it unique:
-
In preparation for the summer internship or research, students complete courses chosen in consultation with the track chair. If seeking funding through LYNK UAF, students will additionally complete orientation and advising, and online training.
- COLL-211 is taken after the internship or research project and culminates in a presentation at LEAP Symposium.
-
Courses Counting toward the Nexus
Courses other than those listed below may count toward the Nexus. Students should consult the Nexus track chair for consideration of courses not on the list.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Anthropology | ||
ANTHR-216HR | Special Topics in Anthropology: 'Anthropology and Human Rights' | 4 |
College(Interdeptmnt) Courses | ||
COLL-211 | Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education | 2 |
Economics | ||
ECON-213 | Economic Development | 4 |
ECON-241 | Critical Development Studies | 4 |
ECON-314 | Globalization and Development | 4 |
ECON-349DV | Advanced Topics in Economics: 'Development Economics: A Closer Look in Africa' | 4 |
Environmental Studies | ||
ENVST-210 | Political Ecology | 4 |
ENVST-251 | Research, Ethics, Justice and Campus Sustainability | 4 |
ENVST-346 | Global Environmental Politics Governance | 4 |
Geography | ||
GEOG-105 | World Regional Geography | 4 |
GEOG-204 | Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Change | 4 |
GEOG-208 | Global Movements: Migrations, Refugees and Diasporas | 4 |
GEOG-314 | China in the Global South | 4 |
History | ||
HIST-301CS | Colloquium: 'Capitalism in South Asia' | 4 |
HIST-357 | History of British Capitalism | 4 |
Politics | ||
POLIT-246 | American Political Thought | 4 |
POLIT-249 | African Politics | 4 |
Religion | ||
RELIG-181 | Introduction to African Diaspora Religions | 4 |
RELIG-331AF | Advanced Topics in Religion: 'African American Spiritualities of Dissent' | 4 |
Sociology | ||
SOCI-240 | Collective Behavior and Social Movements | 4 |
SOCI-316DG | Special Topics in Sociology: 'Sociology of Development and Globalization' | 4 |