Students

ANTH815 – Development Theory and Practice

2017 – S1 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Chris Lyttleton
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MDevStud or MGlobalHlthDevStud or MPH or GradCertGlobalHlthDevStud or MDevStudGlobalHlth or GradCertDevStudGlobalHlth or MAppAnth or MDevCult or MIntRel or MPASR or GradDipPASR or GradDipIntRel or GradDipPP or MPPP or MSocEntre or MPlan or 4cp in ANTH units at 800 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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 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.

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, at times, such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a detailed picture of what international aid entails.
  • Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid, what makes development assistance successful in improving lives and/or why there are often difficulties in achieving this
  • Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the complex factors that influence these outcomes

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
summary of weekly readings 15% No weekly
Book review 15% No week 5
Research Proposal 20% No Week 7
Essay 50% No week 13

summary of weekly readings

Due: weekly
Weighting: 15%

see guide on ilearn for details


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a detailed picture of what international aid entails.

Book review

Due: week 5
Weighting: 15%

see unit guide on ilearn for details


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and, at times, such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a 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 complex factors that influence these outcomes

Research Proposal

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

See unit guide on ilearn for details


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and, at times, such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a detailed picture of what international aid entails.
  • Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid, what makes development assistance successful in improving lives and/or why there are often difficulties in achieving this
  • Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the complex factors that influence these outcomes

Essay

Due: week 13
Weighting: 50%

see unit guide on ilearn for details


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and, at times, such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a detailed picture of what international aid entails.
  • Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid, what makes development assistance successful in improving lives and/or why there are often difficulties in achieving this
  • Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the complex factors that influence these outcomes

Delivery and Resources

Two-hour seminars take place on mondays from 6pm-8pm in room W6A708.  The class operates in a seminar fashion with discussion  of the week's readings framed by specific weekly themes detailed by the convenor.  

Check ilearn page for lists of weekly readings, and see the outline on ilearn for weekly seminar topics and lists of background readings. 

Unit Schedule

see unit guide on ilearn for weekly schedule of topics and readings

Policies and Procedures

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_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a 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 complex factors that influence these outcomes

Assessment tasks

  • Book review
  • Research Proposal
  • Essay

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 outcomes

  • Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and, at times, 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, what makes development assistance successful in improving lives and/or why there are often difficulties in achieving this
  • Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the complex factors that influence these outcomes

Assessment tasks

  • summary of weekly readings
  • Book review
  • Research Proposal
  • Essay

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 outcomes

  • Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and, at times, such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a detailed picture of what international aid entails.
  • Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid, what makes development assistance successful in improving lives and/or why there are often difficulties in achieving this
  • Examine the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the complex factors that influence these outcomes

Assessment tasks

  • summary of weekly readings
  • Book review
  • Research Proposal
  • Essay

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 outcomes

  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a 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 complex factors that influence these outcomes

Assessment tasks

  • Book review
  • Research Proposal
  • Essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a 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 complex factors that influence these outcomes

Assessment tasks

  • Book review
  • Research Proposal
  • Essay

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 outcomes

  • Understand why international aid remains such a contested arena within international relations and, at times, such a problematic context for altruistic notions of help.
  • Read widely and actively participate in discussions concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developing world and thereby gain a detailed picture of what international aid entails.
  • Learn to think critically and reflexively about recent debates informing development, the motivations behind international aid, what makes development assistance successful in improving lives and/or why there are often difficulties in achieving this

Assessment tasks

  • Book review
  • Research Proposal
  • Essay