Future Students

Development Studies

The Area of Study

The effects of development and culture change in a globalising world are studied as part of the Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Culture Change #. Drawing together the disciplines of anthropology and human geography, with options to study in other fields relevant to your interests, the development studies and culture change program offers opportunities to contribute to significant work for human benefit.

Since World War II, development was to have ensured that so-called ‘Third World’ countries could take their place in the global community on more equal terms. However, the transition from ‘traditional’ to ‘modern’ has proved to be anything but straightforward and programs designed to help people in the developing world sometimes fall short of their intended goals or even do more harm than good.

This degree trains you to critically understand the complexities associated with development in order to work effectively in this field. Topics covered include the politics of international aid, social capital, sustainability, media strategies, resettlement, human rights and disaster relief, among others.

The degree’s focus on culture change places emphasis on ways subjective experience, local understandings and cultural frameworks intersect with global processes. You are therefore taught qualitative, as well as quantitative, understandings and research methods.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP Course duration
Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Culture Change # 85.00 3 years full-time/ equivalent part-time


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What you will study

You must complete a program of study (major) in Development Studies. Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • anthropology
  • human geography
  • health studies
  • demography
  • cultural studies
  • law
  • sociology
  • politics

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

First-year development studies units do not require any assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Career Options

  • community development
  • refugee policy development
  • migration and multiculturalism
  • international relations
  • health services
  • Indigenous affairs
  • independent consultancy
  • advocacy
  • journalist
  • market researcher
  • lawyer

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Some Major Employers

  • international institutions (eg. UN, World Bank)
  • ethnic, regional or community organisations
  • government and non-government organisations
  • aid and development organisations (eg. AusAid, Oxfam)
  • museums
  • universities

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Further Information

Department of Environment and Geography
Macquarie University, NSW 2109
Telephone:  (02) 9850 8405
Fax: (02) 9850 6052
Email: enviroandgeog@mq.edu.au
Web:  www.dscc.mq.edu.au

Department of Anthropology
Macquarie University, Sydney 2109
Telephone: (02) 9850 7783
Fax: (02) 9850 9391
Email: anthropology@mq.edu.au

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