Required in stage
Optional in stage
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesInequality, Development and Change in Anthropological Perspective (B-KUL-S0D71A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Cassiman Ann (coordinator) | Cassiman Ann | Oanca Alexandra (substitute) | N. Aims
By the end of the seminar, students should be able to:
- situate current development concepts, approaches, debates and buzzwords within their cultural and historical contexts;
- demonstrate an understanding of anthropological critiques of development concepts and history;
- understand the foundations of knowledge production and its relationship to development;
- explain what an anthropological perspective on development issues entails; analyse development-related issues from an anthropological perspective;
- understand the complexity of development concepts and practices;
- work in an interdisciplinary team on one of the topics discussed: how to gather information, analyse it critically and present it in a professional manner;
- present a group assignment based on selective readings of the course material related to a specific topic of choice.
The objectives of the course will be explained in the first lecture of the course.
Previous knowledge
Students of the 'Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies' follow this course (The course is only open to CADES students). They have been selected through a selection procedure; have a minimum of 4 years of higher education, and often field or other professional experience. At the beginning of this course they are therefore able to:
- critically read, process and discuss academic texts;
- set up and carry out academic research;
- analyse literature and data, and know how to gather arguments;
- deal with new concepts and engage with literature in a critical way;
- write an academic paper based on research;
- work independently and in team.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
6 ects. Inequality, Development and Change in Anthropological Perspective (B-KUL-S0D71a)
EnglishFormat: Practical
39 
First termCassiman Ann | Oanca Alexandra (substitute) | N. Content
Starting with a critical reflection on the main concepts of anthropology and/or development, the seminar will focus on:
- the concepts of development and social change, their histories and relations to (post)colonialism;
- the field of anthropology of development, developmental anthropology and the main current debates;
- the power of language and representation in the development world (in relation to poverty, buzzwords, participation);
- the production of knowledge in development and development research.
The readings present a selection of critical research on these themes through theoretical discussions and case studies from around the world, including ethnographies of aid and development.
Course material
Students will receive a list of mandatory reading for the course at the beginning of the semester.
Required, recommended and additional reading will be assigned for each seminar session (see syllabus) and will be available in Toledo.
The books used in the seminar that are available in the SBIB have been placed on hold (BASIS) and can be consulted in the library.
The syllabus with course calendar, powerpoint presentations and links to clips, movies and websites is available on Toledo, as well as a more extensive reading list, and links to books on hold in the library (SBIB).
Format: more information
The course coordinator will introduce students to the course topics. Students are expected to:
- Attend lectures and actively participate in class discussions;
- Read the assigned texts critically in preparation for the weekly seminar topic;
- distil arguments from the texts in order to actively participate in discussions of the material.
In addition to the weekly readings, each student will be required to
- 1 reflection paper: on a personal and critical analysis of the concept of development (PASS/FAIL);
- 2 essays: on 2 seminar topics and sessions to be chosen from a list (see evaluation);
- Write at least 4 reading notes/questions on the Toledo Forum with questions/comments on the mandatory readings (see evaluation);
- Participate in a group work in which the group prepares a seminar session and gives a presentation based on the reading material. This will involve a thorough reading of the assigned texts and the selection of additional material (e.g. an extra reading or a short audio-visual fragment) so that the students in charge can present and synthesise the readings, generate and answer questions and lead a discussion with their classmates. The group work is discussed with the teacher before the presentation in class; Present the results of group work coherently and clearly to a larger group of students in class; Initiate and moderate in-depth discussions on the various topics of the reader.
Students thus practise:
- Linking the cases presented in class to the course readings by different authors and on different topics;
- research examples in preparation for their group presentation and final research paper;
- thinking critically about topical issues in anthropology and development.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Inequality, Development and Change in Anthropological Perspective (B-KUL-S2D71a)
Explanation
The course is evaluated by the course coordinator as communicated on Toledo and in the exam regulations. Grades are always expressed as whole numbers on a scale from 0 to 20, with 10 being a pass.
Grades are calculated on the basis of an evaluation of the following elements:
(1) Class participation and reading notes (25%):
Students must attend class having completed the readings and assignments and be prepared to actively engage in the discussions of the material (individually or in small groups). Grades for participation and attendance will be based on a combination of class attendance, prepared contributions to discussions and the Discussion Forum, and active listening to other class members.
Each student is required to post at least 4 reading notes/questions on the Discussion Forum during the Semester. Students may choose which thread/week to submit the notes, except for the topic of their final presentation. The reading notes should demonstrate their understanding of the readings and develop a particular point/theme/argument/question that provoked, confused, upset, puzzled or resonated with them from the readings (max. 300 words each).
(2) Group presentation (25%):
The organization of the seminar session will be assessed in terms of preparation (including an evaluation of the additional material), presentation and discussion skills and content.
(3) 2 short written papers and a reflection paper on development (50%):
3.1 Over the course of the semester, each student will writes 2 short papers of 2000 words (3-4 pages) each (excluding references) on 2 topics of their choice, which were dealt with in the course (see syllabus). (deadlines and submission procedures: see Toledo).
In each paper, students will demonstrate that they have thoroughly read the core texts for the course; they are able to reflectpersonally and critically on the topics and core texts in a creative way; and that they can substantiate a personal point of view.
The writing style should be that of a standard academic journal article. It therefore consists of a title, an introduction, body and conclusions; footnotes; reference list. The manuscript and references should be formatted in APA, Chicago, or AAA style.
References should include both materials used in class as well as additional materials selected by the student. Review papers and mere summaries of other texts will not be accepted. Rather, the paper should articulate a clear position (related to the theme and readings of the session) and build up a structured argument, leading to a conclusion.
3.2 Students will write a reflection paper on their personal concept of development (see instructions on Toledo). This paper must be submitted before taking the final examination. The paper will not be marked (Pass/Fail).
The written assignments will be evaluated on content, quality of writing, and format. The student should use standard written language. Deadlines for all assignments are non-negotiable. In the case of exceptional, individual circumstances, students may contact the ombuds to discuss the deadline. If any of the assignments are submitted late, the final grade will be NA (not attended).
Details (modalities, formal requirements, deadlines …) will be clearly communicated at the beginning and at the end of the course.
* Students are fully responsible for submitting papers and assignments free of fraud and plagiarism (www.kuleuven.be/english/education/plagiarism/) and are requested to observe the Faculty’s relevant regulations. Plagiarism will be sanctioned with the sanctions mentioned in the University’s Regulations on Education and Examinations (http://www.kuleuven.be/education/regulations/).
Information about retaking exams
For obvious reasons, students cannot retake class participation and presentation; meaning the results for class participation and presentation will be carried over to the next exam session. Should they have failed (or not submitted) their reflection papers, they can retake them in August, in consultation with the course holder.