This course aims at familiarising students with critical approaches to development. Articulating the sociology of public action and the history and anthropology of development, it does not seek to assess development plans’ efficiency in their own terms or to provide ‘solutions’ to particular ‘problems’. It aims, instead, at reaching a better understanding of the ways in which the definition of both problems and solutions, as well as their reception by the supposed "beneficiaries" reflect transnational and local relations of power, as well as socially situated forms of knowledge. We will study the ways in which ‘development’ projects are concretely conceived, set up, and how they are received, understood and appropriated locally.
- Enseignant éditeur: Brisset-Foucault Florence
The course is organized in 12 sessions of 2 hours each. The work is based on readings, their critique, and the analysis of case studies.
Students are not expected to be already fluent in English and will not be assessed on their mastery of the language. However: everyone is expected to take this opportunity to practice their written and oral skills. My role will be to help you process and formulate your thinking in English, diversify your vocabulary, and hopefully feel more confident when taking the floor. I will also take particular care in making sure there is a balance between students’ levels of participation. We are all here to learn together.
Students have to carefully and critically read one text per week, starting week 2. You are expected to acquire an intimate knowledge of the text, situate the approach, assess its strengths and weaknesses and engage in a critical debate with the author and other members of the class. The texts are also here to help you in your own work.
The sessions are organized around the discussion of the text, and then the discussion of the work of students on a development project. Each week, a group of students will make a 15 to 20 min presentation on a development project. This presentation will be prepared ahead by the students, including through 1 mandatory zoom session with the teacher.
