This course can be followed as part of the BA specialisation Development in Place
(onderdeel BA Culturele Antropologie en Ontwikkelingssociologie)
Course description
The course focuses on various aspects of rural life in relation to ‘development’, ‘sustainable development’, ‘modernization’ and aid programmes and projects, in a globalised world. We thereby no longer spatially divide the world in so called ‘developed’ and ‘underdeveloped’ countries. World food production, food prices, trade agreements on food products and the like are all intrinsically interlinked. We will explore the position, role and significance of the peasantry particularly of the agribusiness and food industries. As van der Ploeg in his book and Brysceson in her article demonstrate, the peasantries of this world are far from waning. Also industrialized and developing countries are witnessing complex and richly chequered processes of ‘repeazantization’.
In this context we will also discuss the World Bank’ s program on Sustainable Land Management and Agriculture and Poverty Reduction and compare their views with a more critical analyses from an Aid consultant, Sivini, who considers the international aid market as its own market. He is of opinion that government and aid programmes often stimulate resistance from the local population, as agencies upset their usual system of production. However the rural poor, peasants and nomads, may also find ways to improve their ways of life. The local level, autonomy, an independent timing and the centrality of the own productive forces are thereby crucial.
We not only discuss the contemporary social problems and opportunities associated with rural economies and politics but we will also look at various methodological tools (Most significant change analysis (MSC), Logical framework analysis (LFA), and Outcome Mapping) that are used within development programs to model what various (development) programs intend to do within different logic and responsibility systems. We will use various projects to put these methodological tools into practice.
Coordinator
Dr. Jose van Santen: santen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl ; room nr. 3A35 (Pieter de la Court Building)
Methods of Instruction
Lectures, group discussions, ethnographic exercises
Lectures 20hrs = 30 sbu
Ethnographic exercises (practica) 5hrs = 5 sbu
Group discussions 5hrs = 10 sbu
Literature 930 pp = 155 sbu
Papers 10p = 80 sbu
Total: 28) sbu = 10 ECTS
Literature
Sivini, Giordano (2007) Resistance to Modernization in Africa. Journey among Peasants and Nomads. New Brunswick (USA) and London (UK): Transaction Publishers. (pp. 228)
Ploeg, Jan Douwe van der (2008). The New Peasantries, Struggles for Autonomy and Sustainability in an Era of Empire and Globalization. London: Earthscan (300)
other literature will be announced later
Examination
Assignments, presentations, final paper
Time-table
Time: Thursdays 11 February – 27 May 2010, 14-17 h
(no lectures on 25 February, 6 May and 13 May)
Location: Pieter de la Court Building, room SA23 (until 29 April) and 5B02 (20 and 27 May)
Registration
Only the following categories of students can register for this course:
Students enrolled for the BA programme “Culturele antropologie en ontwikkelingssociologie”:
Inschrijving mogelijk via het secretariaat CA-OS, kamer 3A19, tel. 5273469, e-mail: secrcaos@fsw.leidenuniv.nl, tussen 30 november 2009 en 22 januari 2010.International exchange students:
For application please follow regular procedure through International Office , or contact the departmental coordinator N. Osterhaus-Simic.