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865-0068-00L 2 Credits NDS D-GESS

Justice and Normative Aspects of Development

Does not take place this semester. MAS ETH in Development and Cooperation students have priority for admission. Interested students can apply to be placed on the waiting list and will be informed about a possible admission by the program coordinators within the first week after the start of lectures.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:12

Abstract

This course discusses ethical questions of development relevant for intenrational cooperation. Examples include: possibilities and limits of normative justification of development aid; theories of justice, human rights and the 'rights-based' approach to development, epistemological foundations of development theories, ethical questions of globalization.

Objective

What is justice and why are human rights valid? What is development and what is the responsiblity of the State? The answers always include normative judgements. Where these normative dimensions remain implicit, international development cooperation risks the unreflected export of its own value and belief systems. This course enables students to identfy implicit normative dimensions, put them into the ethical context and to critically reflect on those normative aspects.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
NDS
Frequency
Every two years

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Justice and Normative Aspects of Development
Does not take place this semester.
No time listed 24 h semesterly

Offered In

  • MAS in Development and Cooperation (The compulsory courses of NADEL are accessible only for students of the MAS in Development and Cooperation and for qualified employees with at least two years experience in development cooperation and a Master's level or equivalent level of education as recognized by ETH. PhD students doing empirical research in development cooperation may be admitted "sur Dossier". The elective courses are open to master students of the ETH with registration/ waiting list. MAS students do have priority.)