Human Development and Mobility in a Changing World

The course presents an introduction to the concept of human development, critically assessing from an anthropological perspective how this notion has emerged within the field of development studies and development policies. It will then outline some major debates on global migratory dynamics with a special focus on the relationships between low and high-income countries (specifically Europe/Africa), on forced migration, refugees and humanitarism. Finally, it will discuss the so-called migration/development nexus. Whilst the first part of the course will highlight general issues and themes related to human development, in a second part specific case-studies will be analysed, drawing on socio-anthropological research as well as on documentation and studies produced by international organizations (UNDP, UNHCR etc.).

Through a combination of frontal lectures, individual/group presentations, in-class exercises, at the end of the course students should be able to:
1.Critically debate key questions on human development, Africa-Europe migration, development/mobility nexus, humanitarian interventions
2. Analyse data and documentation on human development, specifically those produced by UN agencies.
3. Analyse specific case studies (country or regional assessments, development programmes) from the perspective of human development.
4. Develop the capacity for conceptual and ethical reflection on development interventions and mobility policies