Description
This joint degree programme is being offered for the first time at Université Bordeaux Montaigne. Université Bordeaux Montaigne (France) is now offering the Master’s programme in Development Studies with a subject pathway entitled ‘International Master’s of African Studies (IMAS)’, in conjunction with the University of Bayreuth (Germany) where course units are conducted in English. Students are ultimately awarded with a Master’s degree in Geography: Development Studies, from Université Bordeaux Montaigne, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies: Geography, from the University of Bayreuth.
Objectives
This Master’s programme of study aims to produce geographers who are specialists in development. There is, and will continue to be, great demand for their specialist knowledge, on the part of associations, companies, institutional bodies, diplomatic bodies, property owners, politicians and so on. Indeed, the entire team of teaching staff is convinced that, looking beyond economic and political obstacles, the African continent constitutes considerable potential for growth and thus employment in the coming decades. A sound understanding of these social, political, economic and structural dynamics is thus fundamental to working there.
Our pedagogical commitment is underpinned by a vision of Africa as a developing country. Our teaching distances itself from the bleak outlook of an Africa supposedly in the midst of dark times, or from the soothing image of a ‘Rising Africa’ that has sprung up in triumph. Instead, the programme takes into account in a systemic manner the geographical, social, economic and political developments that are shaping the continent, with the aim of producing future executives who can take up the challenges these dynamics pose and seize the career opportunities to be found there.
This joint degree programme is unquestionably interdisciplinary: it offers theory-based, methodology-based and applied course units on geography, but also on political sciences, anthropology and economics. The teaching brings together lectures, seminar units and interactive workshops, offering a point of contact with stakeholders working in Africa. A part of the course units is devoted to the analysis of development projects and policies. Students are also accountable for managing a number of value-creation projects.
Joint degree establishments and partnerships
Training content
Two years of study (Master 1 and Master 2)
The entry cohort is limited to six students: three from Université Bordeaux Montaigne and three from the University of Bayreuth. All students follow the first semester in their home university, the second semester together at Université Bordeaux Montaigne, and the third semester together at the University of Bayreuth. The programme of study culminates with an internship of a minimum of four months, either within or in relation to Africa.
Our pedagogical practice is driven by the idea that both fundamental research and applied research are resources of equal importance when it comes to understanding the dynamics and contradictions of a given situation, our ability to make a diagnosis and ultimately to establish scenarios for action plans.
Master 1 (M1): First year of two-year Master’s programme
The course units in Master 1 are the same as those studied under the Master’s programme entitled Interdisciplinary Studies of African Dynamics (MIDAF). Half of the course units in the first and second semesters are taught at and by Sciences Po Bordeaux (Institute of Political Sciences).
At Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Semester 1 aims to make students aware of the diversity and specific characteristics of the natural environments and the geo-economic contexts of African countries, relating these respectively to the effects of climate change and globalisation. The course units taught at Sciences Po Bordeaux complete this learning process, tackling the processes of social and political construction at work within the continent. A workshop is also organised, focussing on the transmission and popularisation/promotion of the research outputs from the Les Afriques du Monde (LAM) research laboratory.
Semester 2 also takes place at Université Bordeaux Montaigne, where the German students join their French counterparts. This semester allows for a more detailed and systemic interrogation of African dynamics and offers insight into a more practicable way of addressing the problems and issues surrounding development. Half of the course units are taught in English, particularly those covering African geopolitics and case studies of real-life development projects. Lastly, this semester also includes two workshops, an introduction to cartography and statistics, and a course unit on mapping stakeholder strategies.
Master 2 (M2): Second year of two-year Master’s programme
Once at the University of Bayreuth, students join the Master’s programme in Development Studies, their primary specialism being in Geography. Here students pay particular attention to the process for collaborative proposals in development policies, programmes and projects. They will continue and complete their studies of the Political Ecology of Global Change. Students have a choice between two subjects, political sciences and/or anthropology, to be chosen upon consultation with their German tutor. The final element of this semester of study is students’ participation in a conference for development stakeholders. This is an opportunity to gain an introduction to the practical applications of the notion of development.
Access condition
Find information regarding enrolment procedures and the supporting documents to be provided, according to your profile and your level of studies :
Trainings
There is a compulsory four-month internship in Master 2 (M2).
Career pathways
Employment opportunities include:
- manager of an association
- project/product manager
- consultants, experts and middle managers within research departments.
