Students
ANTH815 – Development Theory and Practice
2014 – S1 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Chris Lyttleton
Contact via chris.lyttleton@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MAppAnth or PGDipAppAnth or MDevCult or PGDipDevCult or PGCertDevCult or MIntRel or MPASR or PGDipPASR or PGCertPASR or MSocEntre or PGCertSocEntre or 4cp in ANTH units at 800 level
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines themes underpinning international aid to developing countries. It does so from two inter-related perspectives: anthropology of development, which examines theoretical approaches to development over the past 50 years, and development anthropology, which engages with contemporary practices within development programs. The course uses specific themes and case study material to examine how development works in practice. We will look at individual projects run by NGOs and also by the Asian Development Bank as well as related literature to consider what works and what doesn't in the delivery of livelihood improvement to impoverished people. We will also discuss the broader context in which development takes place and examine topics such as Australia's aid policies, structural adjustment and debt relief, consulting agencies and NGOs, sustainable development, gender issues, development-induced displacement and changing approaches to social impact mitigation.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
- Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid and the attendant difficulties in its delivery
- Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developed and the developing world and thereby gain detailed picture of what international aid entails.
- Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the many background factors that influence these outcomes
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Book review | 25% | April 10 |
| Research Proposal | 15% | May 8 |
| Essay | 60% | June 12 |
Book review
Due: April 10
Weighting: 25%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
- Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid and the attendant difficulties in its delivery
- Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developed and the developing world and thereby gain detailed picture of what international aid entails.
- Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the many background factors that influence these outcomes
Research Proposal
Due: May 8
Weighting: 15%
Research Proposal (1000 words, due on May 8; worth 15%)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
- Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid and the attendant difficulties in its delivery
- Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developed and the developing world and thereby gain detailed picture of what international aid entails.
Essay
Due: June 12
Weighting: 60%
Major Essay (3000 words due on June 12th. Worth 60%)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
- Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid and the attendant difficulties in its delivery
- Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developed and the developing world and thereby gain detailed picture of what international aid entails.
- Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the many background factors that influence these outcomes
Delivery and Resources
The class operates in a seminar fashion with discussion amongst the class of the week's readings framed by ideas introduced by the convenors and students.
Readings for seminars and lists of background readings will be posted on ilearn
Unit Schedule
Schedule ANTH 815: Seminar Topics
Detailed description of topics and readings in unit guide on ilearn
Week One Thursday March 6 Introduction
Week Two Thursday March 13 Development Theories
Week Three Thursday March 20 Discursive Development
Week Four Thursday March 27 NGOs and new social movements
Week Five Thursday April 3 Student presentations
Week Six Thursday April 10 Student presentations
MID-SEMESTER RECESS
Week Seven Reading/Consultation week
Week Eight Thursday May 8 OECD vs Chinese Development
Week Nine Thursday May 15 Infrastructure and displacement
Week Ten Thursday May 22 Affective politics of the precariat
Week Eleven Thursday May 29 Health and development
Week Twelve Thursday June 5 Mitigating Risk
Week Thirteen Thursday June 12 to be announced
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Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid and the attendant difficulties in its delivery
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developed and the developing world and thereby gain detailed picture of what international aid entails.
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the many background factors that influence these outcomes