This course examines mainstream and alternative concepts of development by focusing on development issues and case studies located in so-called Third World countries. It examines the historical background to development ideas and practices, and the cultural presuppositions and assumptions on which they are consequently based, as well as the ways in which they impact on different cultures throughout the world. Of particular interest will be alternative concepts of development, such as people-centred development, gender and development, equity in development, local knowledge and values, sustainable development, and participation and empowerment in development.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. critically evaluate development programs and projects in terms of their social and cultural impact;
2. apply anthropological concepts and theories to an understanding of planned social change;
3. critically examine key ethnographic writing in terms of its theoretical and methodological approach;
4. present and engage in group discussion about development; and
5. devise strategies for successful development outcomes.

Research-Led Teaching

This course combines critical, theoretical perspectives on development aid, with an applied focus on policy and planning. Throughout the course, the convenors will draw on their extensive research on development, planning, and community response, with cases drawn from ethnographic fieldwork in Latin America and South Asia. The course is highly suitable for any intellectually curious student who either wants to pursue a career in development aid, develop a critical appreciation of international development, or both.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	Grassroots Development	Workshops begin (participation mark)
3	De-naturalising Development
4	Planning and Dreaming
5	Securing the Nation	Assessment 1: Project Resources
6	LGBTQIA+ Activism and Queer Development
7	Poverty and Governing Risk	Assessment 2: Zine
8	Vulnerability, Disaster, and its Aftermath
9	Development Experts
10	Breakdown	Assessment 3: Thought Process Essay and Prompt Log
11	Technosolutionism
12	Complexity	Assessment 4: Research-Based Project Proposal

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
ASSESSMENT 1: Develop a Project Notebook	15 %	27/03/2026	3, 4, 5
ASSESSMENT 2: Zine	30 %	24/04/2026	1, 2, 5
ASSESSMENT 3: Thought Process Essay and Prompt Log	15 %	08/05/2026	2, 3
ASSESSMENT 4: Research-based Project Proposal	30 %	29/05/2026	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
	10 %	29/05/2026

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Ten % of the total mark will be based on participation in weekly workshops and will be evaluated based on the submission of a discussion question linked to the assigned readings. Students are required to participate in a minimum of 5 workshops as a hurdle requirement for Assessment 4.

Assessment Task 1

ASSESSMENT 1: Develop a Project Notebook

The class will work with Zotero and NotebookLM to develop group-based research projects. In Week 4, groups will form and select a topic from a pre-established list. In Week 5, you will choose 3 additional resources to add to your project.

For this task: See guidelines about how projects will be allocated. Within each group, each member should identify an area of expertise for your notebook based on discussions with your teammates [see ASSESSMENT 3]. Choose three additional scholarly resources to add to the research project. Add these to a Zotero library and/or NotebookLM.

For the assessment, submit: (1) the complete citations and PDF of the research paper (2) a short justification of why you chose that resource (150 words total) for assessment.

This is a pass/fail assessment. 15% of the total mark

Assessment Task 2

ASSESSMENT 2: Zine

Due on: Week 7

Weight: 30%

Total word count: approx. 400 words

In week 6, we began learning about market-led development, focusing on financial instruments and how they structure policy. For this assignment, take a financial instrument/model that interests you and learn how it works. For example, these might be microcredit programs, conditional cash transfers, food aid, resource development, just to name a few. Create a one to two-page zine describing your findings. You can use images if you like or you can keep to text if you are not comfortable with drawings or visual media (many comics do not use images and work with creative typography). However, please note that part of your grade is based on your zine design and creativity.

If you find that you cannot fit 400 words into your zine (for example, if you have a lot of images and do not want to use too much text in your design), you can opt to write a summary and include that with your zine submission.

A full bibliography with at least 5 citations from peer-reviewed anthropology articles must be included in a separate works cited page (not subject to the 400-word limit)

Assessment Task 3

ASSESSMENT 3: Thought Process Essay and Prompt Log

Due on: Week 9

Weight: 15%

Total word count: approx. 400 words

This reflective essay will critically analyse your own engagement with your project AI notebook/Zotero library (see ASSESSMENT 1). Document your refinement of prompting or research log, present and critically interpret key themes, and reflect on major learning outcomes from engaging the tool(s). This can be written in first-person.

In a separate document, provide a prompt log and bibliography (not subject to the 400-word limit).

Assessment Task 4

ASSESSMENT 4: Research-based Project Proposal

Due on: Week 12

Weight: 30%

Word count: 800 (excluding separate bibliography)

For the final presentation, imagine that your team gets a chance to present your findings to a public official. But you only have 10 minutes to present your pitch. A crucial part of your pitch will be a poster containing your research findings and your key arguments/ concerns.

The poster should be A1 size (this is pretty large and you should plan your layout) and contain approx. 800 words. You can use the presentation skills you gained through your second assignment.

**NOTE:** Students must participate in a minimum of 5 workshops as a hurdle requirement for Assessment 4 (Week 12 workshop).

Assessment Task 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students