Development Studies and Anthropology

MSc Development Studies and Anthropology

Full-Time Programme

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

• Taught by a multidisciplinary team active in the fields of development research, policy and practice.
• Draws on the wide range of development experience students bring to the course, including working in development agencies and organisations in developing countries and the UK.

The programme's core modules aim to improve your skills in evaluation and analysis, enabling you to participate critically in debates on the changing nature of the multilateral, bilateral and non-governmental institutions designed to address development issues, the context in which they operate and the constraints they face.

You will also have the opportunity to choose from a range of thematic option modules and to undertake a dissertation that examines development from an anthropological perspective. The option modules and dissertation will allow you to tailor your programme according to your personal or career interests.

The transferable skills you will develop/further develop during the programme include the capacity to analyse debates and issues in development, team-working, written and oral communication. You will also learn to locate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data on development from printed and electronic sources.

Teaching

Lectures, seminars, presentations, workshops and tutorials.

Objectives

This programme will be of particular interest to anyone wishing to develop an anthropological understanding of global development, policy and practice and their local impacts. Its combination of anthropology with other development studies disciplines provides a good grounding for anyone wishing to use an anthropological perspective when working in multidisciplinary teams. It provides a solid base for those planning a career in development agencies, the non-governmental sector and other international organisations, and for those working in such institutions who wish to take a larger role in the direct provision of services or policy development. It is also relevant for people interested in policy research, journalism and in undertaking advanced research in development studies, anthropology and related fields.