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What is the difference between ID and IDCE? |
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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].
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What courses should I take if I am interested in exploring a major (or
minor) in ID? |
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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
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As a first-year student, why should I explore the PLS during my first
year? Is it better to focus more on fulfilling prerequisites for the major? |
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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.
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I’m a first-year student. What courses should I steer clear of? |
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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.
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As a first-year student, what courses should I take? |
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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.
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What courses are required for an ID major? |
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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.
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What is the recommended sequence of courses for the ID major? |
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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.
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What if I am interested in a double major? |
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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.
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What courses am I required to take for an ID minor? |
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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.
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Which courses count toward my major or minor? |
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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.)
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What courses in related departments do majors usually take? |
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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.)
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What courses should I take before going on a Study Abroad program? |
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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.
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Do the courses I take while studying abroad or at an institution other
than Clark count toward my major or minor? |
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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.
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What internships do ID students find? |
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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.
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What kind of independent research do ID majors conduct? |
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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?”
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What about the Fifth-Year B.A./M.A. Program in International
Development? |
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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.
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What jobs and careers do ID majors pursue? |
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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.
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I’m a first-year student. Whom should I contact with my questions
about the ID Program? |
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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. |
