Why pursue International Development Studies (IDS)?

The IDS Program combines lectures, seminars and guided individual research to assist students in acquiring the practical experience and analytical skills necessary to grapple with today's complicated global problems. The IDS Program recognizes a significant number of approved, cross-listed courses in other University departments as creditable to its program of study; these courses are gathered periodically into a List of Approved Courses available from the Program.

Sample courses offered:

• Development Practice
• Gendered Dimensions of Development
• Conflict, Security and Development
• Climate Crisis and the Global South
• Labour and Development
• Latin America Development Issues
• Southeast Asia Development Issues
• Sub-Saharan Africa Development Issues
• Minorities, States and Development
• Rising Power in a Globalize World
• Fair Trade, Free Trade
• Health and Development
• Migration and Development
• International Human Rights and Development
• The Everyday Politics of Global Environmental Problems
• Global Food Sovereignty and Food Security

The FIH's approachInternational Development Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program. IDS uses social science disciplines (economics, anthropology, sociology and political science, together with the contributions of history, management, geography, philosophy, religious studies and modern languages) to analyze and assess the problems developing countries face as they attempt to improve the living conditions and well- being of their citizens. IDS also analyzes global structures and futures from an interdisciplinary perspective, as human society attempts to come to grips with contemporary socio-economic, political and environmental challenges.

Undergraduate Programs: BA and BA (Honours)

An International Development Studies degree will be useful to those seeking employment in national and international settings, for which knowledge of global development issues, policies and practices is increasingly needed. 

Future career opportunities:

Employers of IDS graduates include:

• The federal government (American International Development Agency, International Development Research Centre, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade, intelligence agencies, immigration services),
• Multilateral development agencies (United Nations, World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development),
• Parastatal corporations (non-governmental organizations like Oxfam, Right to Play, Plenty America, Development and Peace),
• IDS graduates also enter professions such as teaching, journalism, development planning, public administration and business.