Anthropology of development and environment

Teacher(s)

Laurent Pierre-Joseph ;

Language

Français

Main themes

The main theoretical concerns, controversies and research issues in the field of development anthropology are approached from three thematic angles: 1. Diachronic: "What is development ?" or better "what is social change as experienced by non western peoples?" The consequences for the principal institutions of ancestral cultures of assuming, even under their own modernizing steam, development are detailed. 2. Encounters: development and in particular cooperation, opens up these societies to the West. The con-frontation of values and visions these encounters entail together with the changes they induce in North/South relations will be analysed - particularly with regards to the institutionalized relations be-tween donors and beneficiaries. 3. Norms: the rapid change undergone by non western societies lead to new form of governance here de-tailed in the light of new political powers, the nature of the State, the relations between town and coun-try, migratory flows and the hybrid ways people create so as to live together "normally".

Aims

This course seeks to improve student knowledge and know how relative to the processes and consequences as-sociated with the gradual, generalized adhesion to development or transnational modernity (seen as one culture amongst many). Based on pioneering work by development anthropologists, it affords the key to fathoming the cultural turbulence affecting the majority of non western societies -special emphasis being put on their ability to react, their social strategies and identifying intentionalities. The knowledge acquired should enable the student to dialogue with these other cultures on a solidly realistic basis thus facilitating further theoretical enquiry or practical commitment to development programmes. A critical approach to development as culture and its con-sequences is inculcated in order to foster more adequate involvement in the field.

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Other information

A personal work based on readings and a case study based on the student's personal experience and connected with one of the course's topics.

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