Specialisation: Politics and Governance of Development
In the specialisation Politics and Governance of Development, you explore social transformation processes using approaches from political anthropology, legal pluralism, and international relations. You pay special attention to the dynamics of governance processes in development, the reform of international arenas (UN, bilateral, private), and the differing powers of state and non-state actors. You explore themes relating to access to natural resources, land and water conflicts, climate change, human rights violations, property rights, and migration. Within this specialisation, it is possible to apply for the Sustainable Development Diplomacy track.
Specialisation courses
In the first year, you follow two common courses, and a selection of profiling courses, and if necessary, supporting courses. You follow three specialisation courses within Politics and Governance of Development.
| Code | Name |
|---|---|
| ENP-30506 | Theories on Politics and Governance |
| PAP-31306 | Politics, Policy Making and Accountability in International Arenas for Development |
| SDC-35806 | Politics of Development: State, Property and Resistance |
For more information about the courses and course content of the specialisation, as well as the compulsory parts of the master's programme, please refer to the Study Handbook.
Depending on your educational background, the study advisor may determine that you need to follow some supporting courses which will be compulsory for you (for example the courses SDC-23306 Law and Public Power and SDC-33306 Methodology for Field Research in the Social Sciences).
Student experience
"The past year was full of inspiring lectures, tutorial group work, assignments, and readings, writing essays, and engaging with enlightening literature. Indeed, this program offers plenty of opportunities to learn and grow as a student under the close guidance of passionate and dedicated lecturers." - Leah from Germany
MSc thesis
In the second year, you demonstrate your ability to design and conduct research by collecting and analysing information on a thesis topic of your choice. Your thesis will be based on the domain within your specialisation, and the specialisation courses will outline the context of your research. To get an impression of the kind of research done by students, these are a few thesis examples:
- The Dutch development policy and the media: how do they interrelate [Student report] Boers, N.C.M.
- Unpacking the controversy on the Green Growth Strategy in the Republic of Korea: case study of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project [Student report] Khairinissa, Gemilang Haifa
- Agree to disagree: strategic framing in the conference on disarmament [Student report] Keyzer, Dorien de
Many more examples are found in the thesis library.
Teachers in the spotlight
Special Track: Sustainable Development Diplomacy
Within the specialisation Politics and Governance of Development you have the option to apply for the selective track Sustainable Development Diplomacy (SDD). The purpose of the track is to provide students – who will be future academics, professionals, and leaders in the public and private sector – with a combination of theory and practice of (inter)national diplomacy in the field of sustainable development. This track allows students to better understand, analyse and tackle the world’s most challenging sustainability problems.
Students who complete this track successfully, will receive a special SDD master's track certificate besides their MSc diploma. In order to guarantee academic excellence, there will be a procedure to select outstanding and motivated students.
Please read the brochure below for more information about the track and the selection procedure: