Sociology of Development Syllabus

 Fall 2023 Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, Dr. Ionel N Sava

Course Description: This course introduces significant theories that compete to explain “development”. Taking into account there is a sort of struggle to describe development – and economists, historians and various modernization strategists contend to provide the “right” answer – we focus on more modest objectives. This course looks to describe the social logic of development with the tools of sociology. We start form the point that development is a generic concept that includes social, economic, cultural and political aspects. Sociology approaches development as a social change generated by collective action strategies intended to bring about this change. Using explicit comparisons with economics and political science or cultural studies, we underline the importance of sociology and the relevance of sociological theories in approaching development.

Course main objectives:

- Introduce main hypothesis on development – historical sociology, classic economics, modernization theory, critical theory, liberal institutionalism, post-colonialism and green (sustainable) development
- Discussing specific contribution sociology has made in modern history to the concept and practice of development
- Presenting main approaches to Romania / South Eastern Europe modernization and development process
- Underline the competing aspects of development and the opportunities to adopt development policies.

Requirements: The course is structured into an equal number of courses and seminars. For roughly 10 weeks we shall deliver lectures and discuss in the seminars same day (1,5 hours each) the ideas that are sociologically relevant about sources and evolution of development theories. Two largely used textbook are provided for readings and at least two articles / papers are recommended for each major theory or development school. All reading material is made available on the MsTeams Platform provided by the University of Bucharest. A personal / institutional Email address is required for registration. In most lectures and seminars I gave you the opportunity to comment and ask questions in the hope that your
interest is not that much in consuming course material but to participate and contribute your own way. Studying development is not “just learning” but active search and participation alongside assimilation of main ideas and theories.

Her Excellency Therese Hyden,
Ambassador of Sweden

In-Class Assignments : You are expected to show up in the scheduled 10 + 10 graded in-class / in-person assignments throughout the Semester. On-line sessions are organized on an ad-hoc basis. Hence, I am committed to engage you in both direct classroom and, if necessary, in online discussions and to use all physical and technical devices in order to 
fulfil the course goals and requirements. Snacks and beverages are permitted both in-class and in online assignments. Highest participation will account for 15 percent of your final grade. Lowest counts for none. Yet, a minimum 60 percent in-person attendance is usually
recommended for you to be accepted in the final exam. It should be reflected in your contribution to seminars as well regular (spoken or written) comments to other discussions or activities we are engaged in. For those of you that writing is the preferred contribution, you are expected to upload comments and seminar papers reviews up to one thousand words on your individual page available on the MsTeams group SocioDevelopmentFall2023.

Readings : You are advised to download the textbooks as well the articles or papers available on the MsTeams group. Distributing them on other students groups is rather restricted. This is a comprehensive yet compressed sociological literature on the sociology of development that informs you on the subject and provides you main knowledge in the field as well. A number of additional articles / papers are also provided for each major school or theory to be lectured and discussed in the classroom. While this is the usual course intake, additional readings are recommended in order to deepen a certain theory or author.

Same idea could be expressed in totally different contents so you should search for it in more than one place. For each end every student, the course is a good opportunity to enlarge knowledge in the field of development beyond the formal course frame. Should you upload comments, reviews and short course notes it improves your chances for a better grade for this course.

Writings: Should you notice something relevant for class discussions or just for yourself, I encourage you to write down Comments, Summaries or/and Reading Notes (up to 1,000 words!) to be uploaded on your MsTeams personal page or to the group wall so everyone could share your points. Therefore, another 20 percent of your final grade is to be granted for in-person Seminar participation as well for the writings you contribute throughout the Semester. There is some counting of these contributions, yet it is not that much their number but their clarity and quality to be evaluated.

Time frame: In both Readings and Writings the students are expected to use no more than one hour per day. With 1.5 hours for each Lecture and Seminar it totals 10 hours per week for this course.

Exams : There is one mid-term written work to be submitted and the final exam at the end of Semester. Both papers consist of a written essay of 6 to 8 pages on a development theory or author at your choice. What is the social logic of development you want to introduce from a school / theory / author. You are expected to interpret in your own words that theory, to argue its relevance and utility and make sociologically proficient comments before to conclude the essay. The mid-term paper accounts for 25 percent while the final one accounts for 40 percent of your final grade and they are due for evaluation three days in advance of the exam day. The mid-term paper is evaluated without presentation while the final paper it is to be presented in-class or lectured in online. Additional questions are customarily ask to
improve your chances for better grades.


Modules and main courses:

1. What is development?

a. Conceptual evolution. From economics to sociology

b. Modernization theory, functionalism,

c. Marxism and capitalist development

d. Comprehensive approach: polity, economy, society, administration

2. National and inter-national development

a. Dependency theory. The underdevelopment of development

b. World system approach. Center and periphery

c. Neoliberalism of the Washington Consensus

d. Cohesion policies within the EU

3. Development in South Eastern Europe. The case of Romania

a. Bourgeoisie (Marxist) approach of St Zeletin

b. H Stahl and the peasant society in SE Europe

c. Voinea vs Zeletin debate in early 20th Century

d. SE Development as seen by World System Theory (D Chirot)

4. New development approaches. Sustainability and climate change

a. Human environment and the need for sustainable development

b. Neo-institutionalism, transnationalism and the new economics of development

c. Conclusions

Bibliography (main):

 Willies K. (2005): Theory and practice of development, Routledge

 Judith C. Enders and Moritz Remig eds (2015): Theories of Sustainable Development, Routledge

 Wallerstein Im, (1992): The Concept of National Development, Am Behavioral Review

 Daniel Chirot; Thomas D. Hall (1982): World-System Theory, Annual Review of Sociology

 Inglehart R, Welze C (2007): Modernization, what about it?, Routledge

 Frank, A.D. (1966/1970): The Development of the Underdevelopment, NY Monthly Review Press

 Boatca M, (2007): The Eastern Margins of Empire. Coloniality in 19th Century Romania, Cultural Studies

 Jowitt, K eds (1978): Social change in Romania, 1840-1940, UC at Berkley

 St Zeletin (1926/1992): Burghezia Romana