Introduction to main anthropological concepts: culture, diversity/differences, identity, power, conflict, gender, globalization, economy, ecology, environment, colonialism/post-colonialism, development/post-development, interaction, participation, empowerment. Contextualization through ethnographic, theoretical and critical studies related to the Anthropology of Development and deepened with the analysis of the tools that can be used in innovative and truly sustainable development processes
DUE TEXTS:
- Lelli Silvia, SLIDES on Moodle: key concepts in Sociocultural Anthropology (Human Rights, Sex-Gender, Economy, Development).
- Miller Barbara, "Development Anthropology - Cap. 13", in id., 'Cultural Anthropology', Pearson, 2015.
- Malighetti Roberto, ed., 'Oltre lo sviluppo. Le prospettive dell’antropologia', Meltemi, Roma, 2005.
- Herzfeld Michael, "Developmentalisms-cap. 7", in id., 'Anthropology. Theoretical Pratice in Culture & Society', Blackwell, 2001.
- Tommasoli Massimo, 'Lo Sviluppo Partecipativo. Analisi sociale e logiche di pianificazione', Carocci, Roma, 2003. OR, in ALTERNATIVE: Chambers Robert, 'Rural Development: Putting the Last First', 2014 (1983).
+ a CHAPTER/ESSAY OF YOUR CHOICE AMONG:
- Lelli Silvia, 'Trasformazioni Guaranì, tra paradigma sciamanico e scuola', CISU, Roma, 2007.
- Margarita A., Lang M., Mokrani D., Santillana A., "Critiques and alternatives to development: a feminist perspective", in Lang & Mokrani, eds., 'Beyond Development: Alternative Visions from Latin America', The Netherlands Transnational Institute, 2013, pp. 41-60. ONLINE: https://www.tni.org/files/download/beyonddevelopment_critiques.pdf
- Thapa Sangita, "A critical analysis of the impact of feminist thought on development thinking", Arts Design&Social Sciences, Northumbria University, 2015. ONLINE:https://www.academia.edu/21795958/A_critical_analysis_of_feminist_thought_in_development_thinking
- Lelli Silvia, 'Margaret Mead, quando l'antropologo è una donna', Clichy, Firenze, 2016 (short book).
- Latouche Serge, 'Come sopravvivere allo sviluppo. Dalla decolonizzazione dell'immaginario economico alla costruzione di una società alternativa', Bollati Boringhieri, Torino, 2005-2010 (short book - also available English or French versions).
FURTHER SUGGESTED READINGS:
-Sachs, Wolfgang, 'The Development Dictionary', 1992 [or other author's books].
-Vandana, Shiva, 'Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development', Kali For Women, 1988
-Vandana, S., 'The Violence of the Green Revolution: Third World Agriculture, Ecology and Politics', Zed Books, 1991 [or other author's books]
-Latouche, Serge & Harpagés, Didier, 'Le Temps de la Décroissance', T. Magner, 2010 [or other authors' books].
-Busoni, Mila, 'Genere sesso cultura. Uno sguardo antropologico', Carocci, 2012 (orig. 2000).
-Escobar, Arturo, 'Designs for the Pluriverse: Radical Interdependence, Autonomy', and the Making of Worlds, Duke U.P., 2018.
- Escobar, A., 'Territories of Difference: Place, Movements, Life, Redes', 2008.
- Escobar, A., 'Encountering Development. The Making and Unmaking of the Third World', Princeton U.P., 1994.
- Olivier de Sardan Jean-Pierre, 'Antropologia e sviluppo. Saggio sul cambiamento sociale', Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2008 (orig. 1995).
VIDEOS:
- The Economics of Happyness, by Helena Norberg Hodge, Steven Gorelick, John Page; with Vandana Shiva. Campi Bisenzio, 2011, CG Home video.
- 'Sahel, come rifiorisce il deserto. Associazioni contadine e cooperazione - Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso', di Silvia Lelli e Francesco Terenzio, Oltremare Film, 1985, Verona.
Learning Objectives
KNOWLEDGE: basic knowledge of the various critical and applicative dimensions related to the ethno-anthropological definitopn of "development", through the understanding of the main concepts and practices of Socio-cultural Anthropology and Anthropology of Development in particular.
SKILLS: recognizing the main elements that produce imbalances and inequality between and in contemporary societies; identifying elements that can produce forms of eco-equal and sustainable development.
CAPACITY: critical and practical tools for the design of innovative, participatory and empowering processes, applicable in the fields of proposals, initiatives and development projects.
Prerequisites
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Teaching Methods
Lectures, participation in seminars and socio-cultural initiatives on development issues, discussions and group works.
Further information
The course uses electronic resources.
-November 7th, 2019: Seminar of Dr. Mamadou Abdoul Ly, on the micro-project of the Africamondo Association "Amici di Salde" in Senegal.
- October 31st, 2019: the lesson takes place in Aula Magna D6 with the participation in the Open Conference "Current Intersections: Genres, Migrations, Interculture". Program available on Moodle.
The fundamental stages of the course concern the following topics: key concepts of Cultural Anthropology necessary to deal with the Anthropology of Development. Culture / cultures, Nature / Culture: cultural constructions and 'naturalizations'. Dynamics of socio-cultural change. Interaction / integration. Endogenous / exogenous identity constructions. Sexism, racism, classism: hierarchies, legitimations, exploitations. "Development": definitions, ideas / ideologies. 'Development Anthropology' and 'Anthropology of Development'. 'Universal' / 'Local' human rights. Relativism: cultural diversity and social differences. Colonialism and post-colonialism: evolutionist ideas. Ethnosciences: local knowledge and global powers. Economies: forms of livelihood and political forms, circulation and distribution of goods. Needs and the 'creation of needs'. Definitions, models, strategies and purposes of Rural / Urban Development. Approaches from above/below, macro and micro projects. Project Cycle: formal patterns and actual complexity, flexibility, Cultural Compatibility, relationships between 'development actors' and elements of effective Participation. Procedures and phases in International and Local Cooperation: elements of success and problematic elements. Case studies.
The contribution of Women/Gender Studies and Gender Anthropology to development. The 'Sex-Gender System', the intersections between gender / capitalism / exploitation / human development. Principles for effective participation in Decision-making processes. Freedom, Empowerment, Self-determination.
Human and natural environment, Emergencies in the Anthropocene. Meanings of the term Ecology. Rhetoric and linguistic acts: concrete results of development agents between conflicts, mediations, negotiations.
These thematic issues will be developed through lectures, class discussions and group work. In addition to the textbooks, electronic resources, ppt and slides of the teacher, video-lessons and expert interventions in the classroom and online will be used.
Participation of students in the Day Conference "Current Intersections: Genres Migrations Interculture" - Aula Magna D6, and in the seminar held by Dr. Mamadou Abdoul Ly, on the micro-project 'Amici di Salde'-Senegal, in class.