1. US 2232 Critical development theory and practice (Second half of spring semester)

2. Course Content

3. Development in theory and practice is not a natural process, although it often has been given such a status. In challenging what is sometimes called the myth of development it becomes possible to ask if civilisation as we know it is compulsory. Critical development theory both questions the kind of development the West has experienced, and searches for ways of redefining development in a non-eurocentric fashion.

4. Course Content The problem of how to engage in a dialogue of equals with Others in a world dominated by a western hegemony both in terms of political economy and culture, when conducting field work, writing reports, constructing and implementing development programmes and monitoring and evaluating development processes, will therefore be in focus in this course. To these ends, examples of actual fieldwork and development practices are provided that address ethical problems and dilemmas, and posit ways of dealing with them.

5. Critical development theory and practice as an intellectual challenge Voltaire vs. Mill

6. Mill’s challenge 1)Knowledge of the strongest counter- arguments to different forms of development theory and practice 2)Ability to relate to these argument in a reflective way 3)Critically, reflexively and independently analyse and handle problems in relation to development theory and practice

7. After completion of the course, you will be able to:

8. -account for various contributions to critical development theory.

9. After completion of the course, you will be able to: -account for various contributions to critical development theory. -independently and critically analyse and deconstruct different development theories, discourses, and programs.

10. After completion of the course, you will be able to: -account for various contributions to critical development theory. -independently and critically analyse and deconstruct different development theories, discourses, and programs. -critically analyse the impact (negative and positive) of fieldwork, reports, the construction and implementation of development programmes and monitoring and evaluating development processesin development research and practice. -critically analyse the impact (negative and positive) of fieldwork, reports, the construction and implementation of development programmes and monitoring and evaluating development processes in development research and practice.

11. After completion of the course, you will be able to: -account for various contributions to critical development theory. -independently and critically analyse and deconstruct different development theories, discourses, and programs. -critically analyse the impact (negative and positive) of fieldwork, reports, the construction and implementation of development programmes and monitoring and evaluating development processesin development research and practice. -critically analyse the impact (negative and positive) of fieldwork, reports, the construction and implementation of development programmes and monitoring and evaluating development processes in development research and practice. -critically, reflexively and independently analyse and handle ethical problems and dilemmas in development work and research.

12. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course:

13. Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.

14. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course: Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty. The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.

15. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course: Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty. The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes. Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing.Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing.

16. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course: Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty. The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes. Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing.Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing. Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization.Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization.

17. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course: Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty. The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes. Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing.Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing. Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization.Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization. Critique focusing on the inherent violent quality of the development process, both in a historical and contemporary perspective.Critique focusing on the inherent violent quality of the development process, both in a historical and contemporary perspective.

18. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course: Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty. The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes. Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing.Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing. Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization.Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization. Critique focusing on the inherent violent quality of the development process, both in a historical and contemporary perspective.Critique focusing on the inherent violent quality of the development process, both in a historical and contemporary perspective. Critique focusing on the “victims of development” and the eradication of cultural diversity as a consequence of development.Critique focusing on the “victims of development” and the eradication of cultural diversity as a consequence of development.

19. Some of the themes that are addressed in the course: Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty.Questions related to polarization, uneven development, inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, etc.), unequal distribution of resources, exploitation, social exclusion and poverty. The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes.The problems related to sustainability (ecological, social, economical) of the development processes. Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing.Postcolonial critique concerning the power or western discourse, the genealogy of the development concept, theoretical imperialism, relation between knowing, being and doing. Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization.Critique focusing on the problematic relation between modern technology, authenticity, “one dimensional man” and conditions for freedom and self-realization. Critique focusing on the inherent violent quality of the development process, both in a historical and contemporary perspective.Critique focusing on the inherent violent quality of the development process, both in a historical and contemporary perspective. Critique focusing on the “victims of development” and the eradication of cultural diversity as a consequence of development.Critique focusing on the “victims of development” and the eradication of cultural diversity as a consequence of development. Critique focusing on that the modern/ western form of development has become disembedded from a deeper level of social order – a divine or moral order.Critique focusing on that the modern/ western form of development has become disembedded from a deeper level of social order – a divine or moral order.