Universität Wien

240155 VS Anthropological knowledge, development policy and international aid (3.2.3) (2013S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Compulsory attendance in the first unit!

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 06.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 13.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 20.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 10.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 17.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 24.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 08.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 15.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 22.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 29.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 05.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 12.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 19.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 26.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Introduction to seminar: what is development?
Anthropological knowledge and development policy
The problem of international aid
Health and poverty
The question of indigenous knowledge
Development and globalization

Assessment and permitted materials

Active participation in the seminar is essential - otherwise the aims of the seminar would remain unfulfilled. Attendance and participation in a class discussion are expected from every student and they are expected to read the mandatory texts, give the presentation and write the final research report.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

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 is anything but an unproblematic issue, 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 and development) would be explored with reference to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. International health, the question of indigenous knowledge and the challenges of globalisation would serve as examples of the complexities of the development processes.

Examination topics

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

Reading list

Reading list will be given during the first meeting.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:39