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Human Development

Course developer

Prior knowledge

PolZ5010, Public and Nongovernmental Sector

Soci5014, Development Programms

Soci5042, Social Welfare

Soci6014, Research of the Quality of Life

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to develop an understanding of the human development approach and its significance in the policies of significant domains of society both in Latvia and in the global context. The study course deepens understanding of the possibilities of using and analysing the fundamental principles of the human development approach in policy-making, for example, education, employment, health, environmental sustainability, gender, human rights, social policy, civic and political participation, democratic governance.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge. In-depth knowledge of the concept of human development and its application in the promotion of sustainable development in areas important to society, understanding of the criteria and indicators for evaluating the dimensions of human development (individual tasks).
Skills. Ability to analyze sectoral development policy documents (independent work and group work), ability to identify problem situations and find solutions using sectoral databases and statistics to justify decisions (individual tasks), ability to perform tasks responsibly and within given time, as well as reasonably and critically explain their opinion (independent work, report and its presentation), ability to participate in group work and discussions (group work, report and its presentation).
Competence. Ability to analyze policy documents and develop reasoned proposals for the improvement of sectoral policies, using the principles of the human development approach (individual tasks, report).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Concept of human development, measuring human development. - 2 hours
2. The role of the state and the public sector in human development. - 1 hour
3. Human development and human rights. - 1 hour
4. Human poverty and inequality. - 1 hour
5. Sustainable development of society. - 1 hour
6. The role of education and employment in human development. - 1 hour
7. Health and human development. - 1 hour
8. The impact of globalization on human development. - 1 hour
9. Gender equality and human development. - 1 hour
10. Human security aspects in human development. - 1 hour
11. Development cooperation. - 1 hour
List of seminar topics (12 hours)
1. Individual task 1: Analysis of human development reports. - 2 hours
2. Individual task 2: Analysis of democratic governance indicators. - 1 hour
3. Individual task 3: Modern slavery and its manifestations. Analysis of the situation in Latvia and in the world. - 1 hour
4. Individual task 4: Society's impact on the environment, ecological footprint. - 1 hour
5. Education and the labor market: challenges in Latvia and in the world. - 1 hour
6. Public health in Latvia. - 1 hour
7. Globalization and culture: UNESCO World Heritage. - 1 hour
8. Individual task 5: Aspects of human security in Latvia and in the world. - 1 hour
9. Group work: Latvia's participation in development cooperation programs. - 1 hour
10. Presentation of reports and discussions. - 2 hours

Requirements for awarding credit points

Formal test with a grade. The final assessment is cumulative for five individual tasks (50%) (1. Analysis of human development reports, 2. Analysis of democratic governance indicators, 3. Modern slavery and its manifestations, 4. Public impact on the environment, ecological footprint, 5. Human security aspects Latvia and the world), group work “Latvia’s participation in development cooperation programs” (10%) and a report on human development (40%).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Literature studies for individual tasks and a report on the topic related to human development.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Master students must prepare five individual tasks (50%), group work (10%), prepare and present a report on the topic related to human development (40%). 10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency. Eds. S. Deneulin, L. Shahani. Ottawa: Human Development and Capability Association, 2009. Pieejams: https://www.idrc.ca/en/book/introduction-human-development-and-capability-approach-freedom-and-agency
2. Latvija. Pārskats par tautas attīstību (kopš 1995. gada). Pieejams: https://www.lu.lv/zinatne/programmas-un-projekti/citi-projekti-un-petijumi/tautas-attistibas-parskata-projekts/
3. UNDP. Human Development Report (kopš 1990. gada). Pieejams:
http://hdr.undp.org/en/global-reports
4. Alkire S. Human Development: Definitions, Critiques, and Related Concepts. Pieejams: http://www.ophi.org.uk/human-development-definitions-critiques-and-related-concepts/
5. Readings in Human Development. Concepts, Measures and Policies for a Development Paradigm. Eds. S. Fukuda-Parr A.K. Shiva Kumar. New Delhi [etc]: Oxford University Press, 2003.
6. Cilvēktiesības pasaulē un Latvijā. Red. I. Ziemele. Rīga: Izglītības soļi, 2000. 346 lpp.
7. Cilvēkdrošība Latvijā un pasaulē: no idejas līdz praksei. Red. Ž. Ozoliņa. Rīga: Zinātne, 2012. 463 lpp.
8. Jaunas pieejas sociālās attīstības mērīšanā: cilvēki, teritorijas, pašvaldības. Zin. red. A. Zobena, I. Ijabs. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2015. 390 lpp. Pieejams:
http://www.szf.lu.lv/fileadmin/user_upload/szf_faili/Petnieciba/sppi/tautas/Soc_attistibas_merishana.epub
9. Inovatīvi risinājumi ceļā uz ilgtspēju: sabiedrība, ekonomika, vide. Zin. red. A. Zobena. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2018. 296 lpp. Pieejams:
http://www.sustinno.lv/userfiles/sustinno-gramata-A-final(1).pdf

Further reading

1. Anča, G. (et al.) (2002). Tautas attīstība: mācību līdzeklis. Rīga: Jumava, 267 lpp.
2. Atstāja, Dz., Dimante, Dž., Brīvers, I. (u.c.) (2011). Vide un ekonomika. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2011. 256 lpp.
3. Hanovs, D. (2008). Šeit, visur un tagad. Globalizācija Latvijā: konteksti, diskursi, dalībnieki. Rīga: Drukātava, 2008. 334 lpp.
4. Kļaviņš, M., Zaļoksnis, J. (red.) (2011). Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 334 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. London: Routledge. ISSN 1945-2837. Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cjhd20/current
2. World Development. Qubec, Monreal: World development Editorial Office. ISNN 0305-750X. Pieejams: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/world-development
3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Pieejams: https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html
4. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Pieejams: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx
5. ICCPR. Pieejams: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, G.A. res. 2200A
6. UN. The 17 goals. Pieejams: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Notes

Compulsory study course in the ESAF academic master study programme “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”.