Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Development Studies Dalhousie University

Why take international development studies at Dalhousie?

Some of the biggest movements for social change have started on university campuses. Why stop now? International Development Studies at Dalhousie teaches you how to be a responsible and informed global citizen.

What will I learn?

Core IDS courses introduce you to a broad overview of the themes and issues which define the study of international development—the challenges of debt, development assistance, aid and disasters. These core courses consider international development from a variety of viewpoints, whether liberal, socialist, conservative or populist.

Sample courses:

• Development and Activism: Methods of Organization, Manifestation and Dissent
• Halifax and the World, Part I
• Popular Culture and Development

The International Development Studies Experiential Learning Program goes beyond “work for credit,” “volunteer placements” or “co-ops,” with an innovative approach that combines coursework with volunteer placements, providing students with the academic space to critically reflect upon their experiences, and what it means to be a volunteer in society.

Careers and future study:

We train people to be active, engaged and informed citizens. Your IDS degree will allow you to understand many foundational elements of our society: history, economics, sociology and politics. A degree in International Development Studies provides a great background for many social careers, including:

• foreign correspondent
• teacher
• international aid worker
• immigration officer
• economic development officer