240020 VS Anthropological knowledge, development policy and international aid (3.2.3) (2016S)

Introduction to seminar: what is development?
Anthropological knowledge and development policy
The problem of international aid
The question of indigenous knowledge
Development and globalization
A more detailed course outline will be given during first meetings.

The goal of the seminar is to discuss development policy and international aid with respect to anthropological knowledge and ethnographic research. The theoretical contribution of anthropology to planning and implementation of development projects, set forth by donor countries and NGOs in the third world, is, however, a controversial topic. Furthermore, development cooperation and its relationship with anthropology will probably become even more challenging, for the idea of development and the impact of development knowledge have been called into question by critics. On the other hand, the demand for ethnographic approach in the development planning appears to be evident. Whatever the truth, the definition of development and the role of international aid are anything but unproblematic issues, and, as a consequence, the significance of sustainable development remains debatable.

In the seminar the problem of development, as a discourse and practice, and the question of development anthropology (or anthropology of development) is explored with reference, especially, to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Land and health issues, the question of indigenous knowledge and the challenges of globalisation would serve as examples of the complexities of development processes.

In addition to lecturing, the seminar is based on discussions that are related to texts that will be read and presented by seminar participants. Every participant, as a member of a sub-group, will offer group presentations and write a final report that is related to the topic of the seminar. The reading list and a more detailed course outline will be given during first meetings.