GENERAL
| SCHOOL | School of Economics and Political Science |
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| DEPARTMENT | Sociology |
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| Level of Study | Undergraduate |
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| COURSE CODE | 431025 |
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| COURSE TITLE | Sociology of Development (PS) |
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| Independent Teaching Activities |
Weekly Teaching Hours |
CREDIT UNITS |
| Lectures |
3 |
6 |
| TOTAL |
3 |
6 |
| Course Type | General Background |
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| Prerequisite Courses | No |
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| Teaching and Examination Language | Greek |
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| THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS | Yes |
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| Course Webpage (URL) | https://eclass.uoa.gr/main/ |
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(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- To develop the basic theoretical approaches of the sociology of development (modernization, dependency, world-capitalist system, degrowth, etc.),
- to present the historical dimension of development, the origins of the industrial revolution, the Great Divergence, and the formation of North-South inequalities,
- to recognize the role of international organizations (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations, European Union) in shaping development policies,
- to argue for the role of multinational corporations in deepening globalization and
- to critically approach development as an ideological and political framework, with reference to contemporary experiences (economic crisis and the crisis of the European South, Covid-19, green transition).
General Capabilities
- Decision making
- Independent work
- Teamwork
- Working in an interdisciplinary environment
- Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
- Exercise of criticism and self-criticism
(3) COURSE CONTENT
Why do some societies remain trapped in poverty, while others experience unprecedented growth? How can we explain that the Industrial Revolution triggered the «Great Divergence,» which created a world of unequal speeds, with a powerful Center and a Periphery in constant dependence? And who ultimately decides what «development» means—international organizations, states, markets, or the very social movements that challenge the dominant model? The course «Sociology of Development» seeks to provide answers to these questions, focusing on development not as a neutral or linear process, but as a politically and ideologically defined framework. Course participants will examine the classical theories of modernization, dependency, and the global capitalist system, engage with contemporary critical approaches, and analyze how international institutions formulated strategies that often exacerbated social inequalities. The goal is to connect the historical dimension—from the Industrial Revolution to the formation of the global capitalist system—with the current experiences of the Global South and post-industrial societies. The Sociology of Development is not limited to the study of macroeconomic indicators, but examines fundamental social processes, such as institutions, social mobilizations, culture, inequalities, and evaluation practices, thereby contributing to the interdisciplinary debate on what «development» means and who defines it. Through an analysis of the roles of international organizations (World Bank, IMF, EU, UN), the policies of the «Washington Consensus,» as well as the critiques these have faced, course participants will be able to understand how interventions at the global, European, and national levels influence everyday life, either enhancing or limiting the possibilities for social change. The course focuses on development as a field of ongoing conflict among states, markets, multinational corporations, social movements, and international organizations, encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills as well as the ability to connect theory with practice through contemporary examples, such as the rise of the «Asian Tigers,» the debt crisis in Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic, green transition policies, and the rise of digital capitalism.
(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
| DELIVERY METHOD | Face to face |
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| Information and Communication Technologies | Use of ICT in Teaching
|
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| Activity |
Semester Workload |
| Lectures |
39 |
| Interactive teaching (discussion, text analysis, etc.) |
12 |
| Literature study and analysis |
50 |
| Monitoring of audiovisual material |
11 |
| Exercises/Activities in e-class |
18 |
| Writing a Paper |
20 |
| Course Summary |
150 |
Student Evaluation
| Process Description Evaluation |
- Written exams
- Assignment Writing
|
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(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Suggested Bibliography
- Martinussen, J. (2007) Society, State and Market: A Guide to Competing Theories of Development. Athens: Savvalas Publications.
- Ray, D. (1998). Development economics. Princeton University Press.
- Taylor, J. E., & Lybbert, T. J. (2016). Development Economics. Kritiki.
- Todaro, M.P., & Smith, S.C. (2017). Economic Development. Tziola Publications.
- Roberts, J. T., Hite, A. B., & Chorev, N. (Eds.). (2014). The globalization and development reader: Perspectives on development and global change. John Wiley & Sons.
- Kyrtsis, A.-A. (ed.) (1999) Sociological theory of development. Translated by Athanasiou, K. and Paraskevopoulos, Th. Athens: Nisos Publications.
- Mouzelis, N. (2005) Parliamentary Government and Industrialization in the Semiperiphery: Greece, the Balkans, Latin America. Athens: Themelio Editions.
