Human development and mobility in a changing world
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
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.).
Expected learning outcomes
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
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
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
In the event of health restrictions due to covid-19, lessons will take place remotely, synchronous mode, with the support of Teams. Any update on lessons, programs and exams will be published on the Ariel teaching website (ariel.unimi).
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three parts:
Part 1: Key concepts on human development and humanitarianism from an anthropological perspective: human development, the capability approach, humanitarianism, advocacy, (right of) intervention, (duty of) protection, famine, violence, new wars etc.
Part 2: Key concepts on Europe/Africa migration: border and migration management, regimes of mobility, refugees, forced migration, camps etc.
Part 3: the migration/development nexus: economic and social remittances, return, transnationalism, citizenship, reconstruction. In this section the case-study of post-war Somalia will be analysed, drawing on socio-anthropological research as well as on documentation and studies produced by international organizations (UNDP, UNHCR etc.).
TO BE CONFIRMED: the course will take place between January and March 2021
Part 1: Key concepts on human development and humanitarianism from an anthropological perspective: human development, the capability approach, humanitarianism, advocacy, (right of) intervention, (duty of) protection, famine, violence, new wars etc.
Part 2: Key concepts on Europe/Africa migration: border and migration management, regimes of mobility, refugees, forced migration, camps etc.
Part 3: the migration/development nexus: economic and social remittances, return, transnationalism, citizenship, reconstruction. In this section the case-study of post-war Somalia will be analysed, drawing on socio-anthropological research as well as on documentation and studies produced by international organizations (UNDP, UNHCR etc.).
TO BE CONFIRMED: the course will take place between January and March 2021
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge required
Teaching methods
Combination of frontal lectures, individual/group presentations, in-class exercises.
Teaching Resources
1. Development, Human Development, humanitarianism: key-concepts and debates
One of the following texts:
- Rist G., The history of development : from Western origins to global faith. London ; New York : Zed Books, 2008. Traduzione italiana: Lo sviluppo : storia di una credenza occidentale. Torino : Bollati Boringhieri, 1997 (e edizioni successive). (library)
- Allen, T., Macdonald, A., Radice, H., Humanitarianism: A Dictionary of Concepts. London: Routledge, 2020. (library).
- Deneulin, S., Shahani, L., An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach. Freedom and Agency. London: Earthscan, 2009. (library and web-download)
2. Europe/Africa migration, forced migration, global governance of migration
Recommended background readings:
- L. Ciabarri, L'imbroglio mediterraneo. Le migrazioni via mare e le politiche della frontiera, Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano, 2020.
Or:
Gaibazzi, P., Bellagamba, A., Dünnwald, S. (2017) (a cura di), EurAfrican Borders and Migration Management: Political Cultures, Contested Spaces, and Ordinary Lives. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Or:
De Haas, H., The Myth of Invasion. Irregular Migration from West Africa to the Maghreb and the European Union (2000-2007). Imi Research Report, October 2007. (web download)
3. Migration/Development nexus, a case-study: Somalia
Somalia Human Development Report 2001, UNDP (web-download)
Hammond, L., et al., Cash and Compassion: The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Relief, Development and Peace-building. UNDP Somalia, 2011 (web-download).
For attending students, a detailed syllabus will take shape as the course proceeds. The final bibliography will be provided only at the end of term and communicated via ariel.unimi; non-attending students will also receive specific instructions via ariel.unimi.
One of the following texts:
- Rist G., The history of development : from Western origins to global faith. London ; New York : Zed Books, 2008. Traduzione italiana: Lo sviluppo : storia di una credenza occidentale. Torino : Bollati Boringhieri, 1997 (e edizioni successive). (library)
- Allen, T., Macdonald, A., Radice, H., Humanitarianism: A Dictionary of Concepts. London: Routledge, 2020. (library).
- Deneulin, S., Shahani, L., An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach. Freedom and Agency. London: Earthscan, 2009. (library and web-download)
2. Europe/Africa migration, forced migration, global governance of migration
Recommended background readings:
- L. Ciabarri, L'imbroglio mediterraneo. Le migrazioni via mare e le politiche della frontiera, Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano, 2020.
Or:
Gaibazzi, P., Bellagamba, A., Dünnwald, S. (2017) (a cura di), EurAfrican Borders and Migration Management: Political Cultures, Contested Spaces, and Ordinary Lives. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Or:
De Haas, H., The Myth of Invasion. Irregular Migration from West Africa to the Maghreb and the European Union (2000-2007). Imi Research Report, October 2007. (web download)
3. Migration/Development nexus, a case-study: Somalia
Somalia Human Development Report 2001, UNDP (web-download)
Hammond, L., et al., Cash and Compassion: The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Relief, Development and Peace-building. UNDP Somalia, 2011 (web-download).
For attending students, a detailed syllabus will take shape as the course proceeds. The final bibliography will be provided only at the end of term and communicated via ariel.unimi; non-attending students will also receive specific instructions via ariel.unimi.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam assessing the knowledge of the course key topics, theoretical framework, methodology. Case-study presentation
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Ciabarri Luca
Professor(s)