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 and "buzzwords" that are ubiquitous in development and, and explore how they are related to understandings of social organization, society and culture, relationships, networks and institutions in the social sciences. This course is designed taking into account (a) students' own participation and contribution to curriculum design, (b) diverse students' interests straddling academic and applied, policy-orientated analysis and, (c) students freedom (and responsibility) to develop an independent research project that can either take the form of an academic research paper or a policy position paper. The course is structured in three main parts. Part I (week 1-4) serves as a primer for key theoretical debates within the discipline. This equips students with the necessary tools to to critically analyse key concepts in development . Part II ( week 5 onwards) covers several key concepts in the anthropology of development. Students are given the opportunity to vote for which topics to cover in class. This presents students with an opportunity to take ownership of the curriculum and select key concepts students deem central to grasp contemporary and emerging development aid processes. Part III endows students the opportunity to develop an independent research project in relation to one key concept. Two scaffolding workshops are provided throughout the semester in order to assist students with developing their research project.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- explain the social science background to a number of key development concepts;
- critically evaluate the use of particular concepts in development projects, policy, and practice;
- 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
- Student-selected reading rationale statement (10) [LO 1,2]
- Reflective essay (20) [LO 1,2]
- Workshop A: identifying a topic and annotated bibliography. (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Workshop B: moving from topic to research question (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research paper/policy response paper (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up of:
(a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 36 hours of lectorials in blended mode.
(b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Gardner, Katy and Lewis, David. 2015. Anthropology and Development: Challenges for the Twenty-First Century (London: Pluto Press) (Also available as ebook through the ANU library).
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 | N/A |
| 8613 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | Online | N/A |
