Programs of Study

The graduate programs in Global Development Studies provide advanced research training for students seeking to pursue careers in public policy, academia, development agencies, social enterprise, journalism, media, education , and law. With small classes and close supervision, we empower students to pursue interdisciplinary research projects on topics that they are passionate about. Our globally engaged faculty help students build the professional, analytical and communication skills sought by employers in Canada and internationally or to open new pathways for further study. From the grassroots to the global, our students attain the skills and knowledge needed to make an impact!

Departmental Facilities

Study Space

DEVS students have a dedicated study area in Mackintosh-Corry Hall. Carrels are available for all graduate students and are allocated on a first come, first-served basis. Lockable file drawers are available to store your belongings. Separate office spaces are available for TA office hours.

Financial Assistance

All students will be considered for funding from a combination of Queen's Graduate Awards (QGA), teaching assistantships (TA-ships), contributions from research grants and contracts, internal scholarships and awards, and external scholarships and awards. Award stipends are typically paid in three equal instalments throughout the year with teaching assistant and research assistant salaries paid monthly.

TA-ships require up to a maximum of 130 hours per term (e.g. 10 hours a week) of tutorial leadership, preparation, marking, and other duties.

TA-ships are regarded as both a source of funding/income and as an important element in the student's professional development.

Where research grants permit, or when students earn a scholarship from outside the department, an effort is made to offer top-up funding.

International Opportunities

DEVS faculty are recognised as academic leaders in their fields and coordinate major international research projects in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and in Indigenous communities in Canada. By bringing their active research commitments into the classroom, they provide an enriching space for our graduate cohorts while providing substantive networks and opportunities for students to undertake their own globally-orientated research.

Additionally, DEVS has two dedicated exchange agreements to facilitate graduate exchange:

1. Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand; and
2. Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We offer opportunities to study in either of these locations as part of an MA or PhD degree.

Students can take advantage of research and internship possibilities in the United Kingdom through the International Study Centre. The Centre is located in Bader College, Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex, and offers access to the vast holdings of the University of Sussex Library, very modestly priced accommodation and transportation into nearby London, and excellent networks among the UK international development scene.

 

Faculty

Head
Taylor, M.E.

Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Resurrección, B.

Professor
Dubinsky, K.E.,  Epprecht, M., McDonald, D.A., Quadir, F., Resurrección, B., Soederberg, S., Taylor, M.E.

Associate Professor
Hall, R., Kukreja, R., Tienhaara, K.

Assistant Professor
Atuoye, K., Córdoba, D.

Cross-Appointed Professors
Goebel, A

Cross-Appointed Associate Professors
Davison, C., Salzmann, A., Shulist, S.

Cross-Appointed Assistant Professor
Bisung, E., Prouse, C.

Continuing Adjunct
Hostetler, M., Kumar, P., Lovelace, R., Rutherford, S.,Tomac, A.

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Fanning, I., Harriss, J.

Program Contact
Carrie Roosenmaallen
Academic Programs Assistant
Global Development Studies
Mackintosh Corry Hall, Room B411
Kingston, ON, Canada K7L3N6
Phone: 613.533.6000 ext. 77626
Email: devsgrad@queensu.ca
Website: www.queensu.ca/devs

Programs

Courses

DEVS 801 The Political Economy of Development    
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the relationship between political economy and the ideas and practices of development. The course grounds students in core theories, both classical and contemporary. It then examines key themes and controversies to illustrate the relationships between the political economy and development policies. This is a mandatory course for all graduate students in Global Development Studies. Fall. S. Soederberg. 

DEVS 802 The Cultural Politics of Development    
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the cultural politics of development in historical and contemporary perspective. The course focuses on narratives of development and their relationship to social and political movements in the South and North. Themes include the ideas of tradition; modernity and progress; colonialism, nationalism and liberation; and the gendered and racialised politics of development. This is a mandatory course for all graduate students in Global Development Studies. Fall.  R. Kukreja 

DEVS 803 Qualitative Research Methods and Fieldwork 
This course introduces qualitative fieldwork methods including research design, proposal writing, ethics, interviews, and data analysis. It offers a clear pathway towards successful fieldwork design, implementation and reporting and provides core professional skills for working productively within development and community organizations. This is a mandatory course for all PhD graduate students in Global Development Studies. Winter. D. Cordoba 

DEVS 811 Advanced Topics in Political Economy of Development 
2023-24 Topic: Social Reproduction, Care Work and Development
Explores themes in the political economy of development introducing students to advanced research in the field. Winter.  R. Hall
PREREQUISITE: MA or PhD standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department. 

DEVS 813 Advanced Topics in Sustainable Development   
Explores themes in the field of sustainable development with close attention to different framings of sustainability and the contested practices that seek to realize it in practice. Not offered 2023-24.
PREREQUISITE: MA or PhD standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department. 

DEVS 816 Advanced Topics in Global Health and Development 
Explores themes in global health and development introducing students to advanced research in the field.  (3.0 credit units)

DEVS 850 Professional Seminar in Development Studies    
This course provides a forum to discuss practical, ethical and methodological issues in conducting development research and writing, including major research papers, thesis work, and grant applications. All Global Development Studies graduate students will be enrolled in this course. Monthly meetings; Fall/Winter. M. Hostetler 

DEVS 861 to DEVS 879:  These courses are seminars offered by regular and visiting faculty on development topics related to their research interests. Consult the departmental homepage for further details of specific course offering each year. These are mixed senior undergraduate/MA graduate level courses with limited space for MA graduate students. DEVS MA graduate students may not take more than two such mixed courses. Graduate enrolment opens after the undergraduate enrolment period (consult with department). 

For a list of this year's course topics, go to this website: https://www.queensu.ca/devs/ma-course-options. 

DEVS 861 Topics in Development Studies 1    
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 862 Topics in Development Studies    
Topic seminars are offered by faculty on themes related to their research specializations. Consult the departmental homepage for further details of specific course offerings each year. These are mixed senior undergraduate/MA graduate level courses with limited space for MA graduate students. DEVS MA graduate students may not take more than one such mixed courses. Graduate enrolment opens after the undergraduate enrolment period (consult with department). (3.0 credit units)
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: DEVS 492XXX (Corresponding Topic ID XXX)

DEVS 863 Topics in Development Studies 3 
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 864 Topics in Development Studies 4    
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 865 Topics in Development Studies 5   
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 866 Topics in Development Studies 6   
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 867 Topics in Development Studies 7   
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 868 Topics in Development Studies 8   
FOffered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 869 Topics in Development Studies 9
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 870 Topics in Development Studies 10
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 871 Topics in Development Studies 11
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 872 Topics in Development Studies 12
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 873 Topics in Development Studies 13
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 874 Topics in Development Studies 14
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 875 Topics in Development Studies 15
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 876 Topics in Development Studies 16
Offered jointly with  an undergraduate 400 level course(s) with additional work required.
PREREQUISITE: MA standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department.
EXCLUSION: corresponding undergraduate course(s) DEVS 49x.

DEVS 890 Directed Readings in Development Studies    
Students whose proposed research lies outside the realm (thematic or regional) of regular and cognate course offerings may choose this option. In consultation with a willing supervisor, students must develop a unifying title, course description, and reading list of 24 key texts for each of 56 set topics leading toward an agreed upon set of assignments. 

DEVS 891  Graduate Work or Study Placement in Development Studies   
Experiential learning opportunities that expand a student's engagement area of study, research and work experience that involves travel opportunities and/or community engagement. The placement is designed to allow for an in depth and immersive experience. 
PREREQUISITE: MA or PhD standing in Global Development Studies, or permission of the Department. 

DEVS 892 Special Topics in Global Development Studies    
Course focuses on specific topics related to global development studies. Special topics are offered under the guidance of a faculty member in an area of the instructor’s expertise. 

DEVS 893 Special Topics in Global Development Studies    
Course focuses on specific topics related to global development studies. Special topics are offered under the guidance of a faculty member in an area of the instructor’s expertise. 

DEVS 898 Master's Research Paper    
Students will complete a library based major research project (MRP) of 5060 pages. The MRP will deal with a specific interdisciplinary question directly relevant to Global Development Studies, which may be thematic or theoretical in nature or focus on peoples or places generally associated with the Global South in the context of relations with the Global North.
PREREQUISITE: Permission of Grad Chair in consultation with a willing faculty supervisor, plus completion of two mandatory and four elective DEVS or DEVS eligible courses. 

DEVS 899  Master's Thesis    
Research leading to a dissertation of 75100 pages will usually involve the collection and analysis of primary data and be of publishable quality. Such data could include oral interviews, archival and other documentary sources, in some cases collected through field work.
PREREQUISITE: Permission of Graduate Chair in consultation with a willing faculty supervisor, plus completion of two mandatory and four elective DEVS or DEVS eligible courses.   

DEVS 950 Professional Seminar in Development Studies
Guiding students through the professional skills needed for completion of the doctoral degree, this course provides a monthly forum to discuss practical, ethical, and methodological issues in conducting development research and writing and the transfer of these skills to academic and nonacademic settings. Topics include effective pedagogy, writing for nonacademic audiences, conference presentations, and working within organizational contexts. All Global Development Studies PhD students will be enrolled in this course. Monthly meetings; Fall/Winter. B. Resurrección

DEVS 999 PhD Thesis Research