Assisting Development

Description from DukeHub

Examines evolution of international development theory and practice since early 1950s. Investigates how different solutions advanced to deal with poverty have fared. Different streams of academic and policy literature, including economics, political science, and sociology, are consulted with a view to understanding what could have been done in the past and what should be done at the present time. Examines alternative formulations weekly in seminar format. Individual research papers (60% of grade) which analyze past and present development practices in a country of their choice, or examine trends within a particular sector (e.g., agriculture, population, gender relations, the environment).

Skills

• writingAI review: "Individual research papers (60% of grade)"
• research methodsAI review: "analyze past and present development practices"

AI-resilient: 2 of 5 2/5

• No: Physical, lab or field work
• No: Live work with people
• ✓Yes: Judgment someone is accountable for · "policy"
• No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
• ✓Yes: Small, in-person format · seminar, 18 seats per section

The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works

More in ICS

• The Psyche, Power, Colonialism ICS 129CNS
• Critical Approaches to Global Issues ICS 195CC
• Doing Global Research ICS 314S
• One Great Book: Proseminar in Russian/Slavic Literature ICS 339
• International Political Economy ICS 350
• Capstone: Global Studies Seminar ICS 489S

All ICS courses · All of Graduate School