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What is Global Development?

Investigate key ideas, concepts, and debates surrounding global development, focusing on Nairobi, Kenya, as a case study.

6,952 enrolled on this course

Nairobi market place

What is Global Development?

6,952 enrolled on this course

  • 5 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Assess the impact and indicators of global development

Around the world, different countries, their populations, and economies are developing at different rates.

On this five-week course, you’ll explore the reason behind uneven development. You’ll critically evaluate key definitions and concepts of global development and discover its impact on the world.

Using Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, as a case study, you’ll gain a contextual understanding of the factors that help or hinder development, how development is measured, and how uneven development can be addressed.

Analyse the key development indicators of Nairobi, Kenya

Comparing Kenya to other countries around the world, you’ll discover differences in development not only on a global scale but on a local scale, even within the context of different neighbourhoods.

You’ll identify the drivers of inequality, examining the availability of natural resources and high-value industries as integral to their development.

You’ll then explore how developing countries are represented by the media and analyse the effectiveness of different strategies within humanitarian communication.

Investigate the factors that affect demography, health and wellbeing

The health of a population is affected by many social, environmental, and political factors.

You’ll examine the profound effect of poverty and inequality on health and wellbeing, gaining a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health within developmental contexts.

Examine urbanisation, urban growth, and migration

In your final week, you’ll examine the motivations behind population change and explore the opportunities and challenges it presents.

You’ll finish this course having gained a deeper understanding of global development and the drivers that affect development in different areas.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to the Course and Measuring Development

    • Introduction to the course and measuring development

      In this activity we will start to think about the many meanings of the term ‘development’.

  • Week 2

    Uneven development

    • Uneven development

      In this activity we will focus on our case study, Kenya.

  • Week 3

    Media and Development

    • Media and Development

      The media plays an important role in shaping public perceptions of development and the ‘developing world’ in the Global North.

  • Week 4

    Demography, Gender, Health and Development

    • Demography, gender, health and development

      This week we will learn about how demographics affect development by studying populations pyramids and demographic transition.

  • Week 5

    Migration and Urbanisation

    • Migration and urbanisation

      In this session we will discuss the causes and consequences of urbanisation.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain the key ideas, concepts and debates in global development
  • Evaluate the different meanings and perceptions of development
  • Investigate how development is measured
  • Assess how 'development'and 'developing countries' are represented
  • Explore the causes and consequences of population growth and distribution
  • Describe urbanisation and the motivations that attract people to cities

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in global development and disparity around the world.

It is particularly suited to those interested in studying development at a university level, or those considering a career working in the humanitarian sector or organisations involved in global development operations.

Who will you learn with?

Associate Professor in Media and Global Development at University of East Anglia - UK.

Researcher, analyst and educator specialising in anthropology, geography and international development. Lecturer in International Development at the Open University.

I am a Professor in Media and Global Development at the University of East Anglia, UK. I am the author of 'Media and Development' and study media freedom and humanitarian news.

Who developed the course?

UEA (University of East Anglia)

The University of East Anglia is an internationally renowned university providing top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 15,000 students from over 100 countries around the globe.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 5 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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