Examines what is perhaps the most important question in development debates today: why is there a rich world and a poor world and what socio-economic and environmental policies can be identified and implemented to address some of these problems? In this course, you will critically engage with several of the ‘big issues’ concerning international development policy and highlights the links between ideas, policy and the reality of development with an emphasis on the environmental and health challenges facing local communities in developing countries. The course blends theories of development with the rapidly expanding discipline of public policy to enable you to examine and explain the rate, form and patterns of socio-economic and environmental development in countries and regions. You will explore the influences upon this patterning and the response by communities, state organisations and other institutions. The course will also include substantive engagement with several sectoral policy issues on sustainable development, such as community participation, urban poverty, food security, decentralisation, equity, climate change, foreign aid, and public health. The course will involve a two-day long weekend intensive session addressing two of these policy issue areas.