Anthropology of Development

Is development about growing an economy or fostering justice? This course investigates efforts to alleviate poverty and build sustainable communities. Why do so many development interventions fail? Anthropologists show how aid projects are often undermined by structural, institutional, and cultural hierarchies. In this course we will examine the history of state-led and NGO development strategies and the role of anthropology in development design and evaluation. Our study of what ‘does not work’ will contrast with ‘what does’ by asking the critical social question of ‘for whom.’ Students will learn to write and present policy briefs, project proposals, and program evaluations. 3 hrs. sem.