In this course we will examine several key concepts pertaining to the anthropology of development. We will carefully scrutinise how anthropologists tackle a range of analytical tools that are ubiquitous in development and explore how they are related to understandings of social organization, society and culture, relationships, networks and institutions in the social sciences. We will begin by reviewing key debates within the anthropology that have shaped its often-critical relationship to development interventions. This will equip students with the tools to analyse key concepts in recent anthropological approaches to contemporary development interventions. We will do so by engaging with ethnographies that analyse the politics and social impacts of heterogenous social processes often glossed as development. From the creation of infrastructure to the empowerment of marginalized citizens, to the politics of growth itself, the course will provide students with the tools to unpack, question, and critically analyse key organizing principles of development. The class will culminate in a final research paper, or policy report which will give students the opportunity to develop an independent research project in relation to one key concept.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- describe the social science background to a number of key development concepts;
- evaluate the use of particular concepts in development projects, policy, and practice;
- create a research bibliography relating to those concepts;
- write a critical case study of the role of a key development concept, exemplifying ability to use primary sources; and
- evaluate the differences between social science and specifically development-related perspectives on the concepts and practice.
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2]
- Writing task, 30 minutes (10) [LO 1,2]
- Analytical task, 2000 words and concise table (20) [LO 1,2,4]
- Final assignment proposal, bibliography and bibliographic notes, 1000 words (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final assignment, 5000 words (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up of:
(a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 3 hour sessions of short lectures and tutorial-style discussion
(b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
All texts will be distributed via PDF.
Assumed Knowledge
Basic acquaintance with the field of development studies via university learning or experience.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8612 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | View |
| 8613 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | Online | N/A |
