Bachelor of International Development Studies
Australian Catholic University
About
This degree combines units that offer local and historical knowledge of specific geographic areas of the developing world, with units that explore transnational dimensions of development.
This combination of subject matter enables students to gain knowledge of the planning, implementation and consequences of political and economic change, particularly the uneven effects of development policies on communities.
Students will also gain knowledge of the macro and micro sociological forces, including social movements that have impacted historically on political, economic, cultural and ecological conditions, resulting in extreme poverty, poor health, fragile governance, inequality and environmental vulnerability.
The degree grounds students in qualitative and quantitative research methods, providing them with the skills and knowledge to be able to determine appropriate strength-based capacity building approaches, and to identify economic inclusion strategies that promote economic opportunities for marginalised communities.
The Bachelor of International Development Studies degree is located within the discipline area of ‘development studies’, which is an interdisciplinary branch of social science.
The discipline area of development studies draws from a range of disciplines, particularly:
anthropology, sociology, political science, human geography, environmental science, history and economics.
The main objective of the degree is to provide students with the knowledge, critical perspectives understanding and skills needed for competent, compassionate, ethical and professional engagement with communities in the developing world.
ACU BIDS graduates have a strong commitment to the common good and respect for the dignity of the human person.
During the course students will gain hands-on experience in an international humanitarian or development program through the compulsory Immersion Experience unit.
In addition to development theory and practice, students will study:
global health human rights law and practice global change and development strategic management, people management peace and development environmental sustainability research methodologies for development projects.
Structure
| Year – Study Period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | DVST100 Introduction to International Development Studies | GEOG101 Global Human Environments | UNCC100 Self and community: exploring the anatomy of modern society | Arts minor 1 |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | SOCS243 Global Health | DVST101 Humanitarian Work and Development Aid | GEOG204 Environmental Sustainability: The Global Challenge | Arts minor 2 |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | GEOG207 Precarious states: development, geopolitics, livelihoods (Pre:GEOG101 or HIST115) | DVST205 Peace and development (Pre:DVST101) | SOCS237 People count: researching quantitatively (Pre: 10 credit points from 100-level units in Sociology) | Arts minor 3 |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | SOCS207 Meaning of life: researching qualitatively (Pre: 10 credit points from 100-level units in Sociology or DVST100) | DVST204 Project management (Pre: 10 credit points from 100-level units in Development Studies) | DVST202 Preparation for development education immersion program (Pre: 60 credit points of core international development studies units) | Arts minor 4 |
| Year 3 – Summer Term | UNCC300 Justice and change in a global world (Pre: UNCC100) | |||
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | DVST304 Development education immersion program* (Pre: DVST202, DVST101) | |||
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | DVST303 Advocacy and policy development (Pre: 10 credit points from 200-level units in International Development Studies) | DVST301 Development alternatives: Fair trade (Pre: GLST201) | DVST200 Refugees and Forced Migration (Pre: 10 cp from 100-level units in International Development Studies or Global Studies) | Arts elective |
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
International students must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
Victoria
- Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
*Disclaimer: The Course entry requirements above are for 2021 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
2. Additional Approvals
Requirements for working with children: All students enrolled must have the appropriate approvals before they undertake DVST307 International Development Global Experience or DVST306 Working in Development). These are: Working with Children Check (if the placement involves working with children) and/or a National Police check. International students must bring police check documentation from their own countries. All students who have lived in another country for 12 months or more must provide a police check from that country for that period.
Institution
