Human Development and Mobility in a Changing World

The course pertains to the general area of political anthropology and to its sub fields of anthropology of development and of humanitarianism. It 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. In addition, it outlines 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 humanitarianism. Whilst the first part of the course highlights general issues and themes related to human development, in a second part specific case-studies will be analyzed, drawing on socio-anthropological research as well as on documentation and studies produced by international organizations (UNDP, UNHCR etc.).

Knowledge and Understanding

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. Develop the capacity for conceptual and ethical reflection on development interventions and mobility policies.

Ability to apply Knowledge and Understanding

3. Analyze specific case studies (country or regional assessments, development projects) from the perspective of human development.
4. Analyze data and documentation on human development, specifically those produced by UN agencies