The Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies programme aims to equip the students with the concept of holistic approach to development as a means to alleviate poverty and realise equity. The programme establishes linkages between development and four broad features which are Geography (development geography and social environment), Sociology (sociology of development), Economics (development economics) and Politics (politics of development) to facilitate students to comprehend the perspectives of development landscape.
This programme is relevant to the 21st century development paradigm and more so for Bhutan’s GNH inspired development approach. Like GNH, Development Studies asserts the need to focus on wholesome and inclusive development to address the issues of poverty and inequity. Thus, the relevancy of this programme increases the employability of the graduates in both national and international job market. Further, students will acquire research, communication and analytical skills. The programme also builds the aptitude of the students to apply their theoretical knowledge in the field through internship.
By building its grounds on the four broad features, the programme enhances and broadens the scope for students to pursue their higher studies in any disciplines of social sciences, economics, humanities and political science. This programme is constructed on the inter-disciplinary model so that the graduates will be inspired to be agents of change in the context of holistic and inclusive development.
The programme offers opportunities for graduates to cultivate professional competencies and knowledge to equip graduates for employment in various fields such as CSOs, international organizations, local government entities, government planning and programmes, and consulting firms. Graduates of this programme can continue their education to become educationists and researchers in higher educational or research institutions. The programme will also build self-confidence in students, inculcate interest towards lifelong learning and acquire skills for self-employment.
Programme Structure:
| Year | Sem | Modules | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | l | PAD101 Introduction to Development Studies | SOD101 Fundamentals of Sociology | DOE101 Introduction to Development Economics | DZG101 Dzongkha Communication | ACS101 Academic Skills |
| ll | SOD102 Introduction to Anthropology of Development | RES103 Research Methods | PAD102 Development Paradigms | BMS103 Basic Statistics | ICT201 ICT for Development | |
| 2 | I | GSE101 Analytical Skills | PAD203 Governance and Development | SOD203 Sociology of Development | SOD204 Culture and Development | PAD204 GNH: A Holistic Development Approach |
| II | GAD201 Environment and Development | DOE202 Poverty and Development | GAD202 Population and Development | PAD205 Power Dynamics in Development | SOD205 Gender and Development | |
| 3 | I | GAD303 Urbanization and Development | MGD301 Management of Development Programmes | PAD306 Conflict Management | DOE303 Sustainability and Development | GAD304 Rural Development |
| II | INT301 Internship | PAD307 Introduction to Public Policy Processes | DOE304 Introduction to Development Financing | RES304 Research Project | ||
