Development Studies and Social Anthropology (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate) - 2013/2014 entry
-
Overview
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.
The programme will help you to develop a critical and theoretical understanding of the issues, processes and institutions central to global poverty, inequality and development. It will help you to develop a thorough understanding of theories and methods in anthropology and to apply these to the field of development studies. It will enable you to contrast anthropological perspectives on development with those of other disciplines.
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.
-
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 that students bring to the course, including working in development agencies and organisations in developing countries and the UK.
-
Course structure
MSc: two core modules, two option modules and a dissertation.
Postgraduate Diploma: two core modules and two option modules.
Postgraduate Certificate: two core modules.
Core modules:
- Development Studies: Theoretical Approaches: introduces you to key debates that have shaped thinking on international poverty and development and equips you with knowledge of the conceptual and theoretical bases of development.
- Anthropology: Theory and Method: provides you with a good understanding of the theory and methods of anthropology, of their application to international development, and of the relationship between anthropology and development.
Option modules:
- Gender and Development
- Material and Visual Cultures of Development
- Migration and Refugees
- 'Race', Ethnicity and Development
- War, Conflict and Development
- The Political Economy of Childhood.
Option availability may vary from year to year. Relevant options may also be taken from other Birkbeck programmes, subject to agreement with the programme director.
Dissertation research in a relevant field is agreed with the programme director.
-
Study resources
We offer student support and have a range of research resources.
-
Further study opportunities
If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Development Studies.
-
Careers information
Graduates go on to careers in development agencies and other international organisations, policy research, journalism or the non-governmental sector.
-
Apply now
- Application deadlines and interviews
- You should apply as early as possible.
- You may be asked to submit a 3000-word entrance essay.
- Online application
You can apply online from the link below.
- Application deadlines and interviews