ANTH47915: Advanced Studies in Development, conflict, and crisis in the Lower Omo Valley

• None.

• None.

• None.

• To introduce the peoples and histories of the Lower Omo Valley in southwest Ethiopia.
• To explore the relationships between place and health, and between displacement and ill-health over both long- and short-term time horizons.
• To bring medical anthropology into conversation with planetary health and critical studies of development.
• To provide a window on the challenges of engaged anthropology in the context of an unfolding crisis

• The module takes a historical conjuncture in a river system in southwest Ethiopia as a way into questions about environmental change and human well-being.
• Topics that may be covered include: dams, modernity, and environmental conflict; contestation and resistance against development projects; colonization and displacement; debates concerning the Anthropocene; advocacy, networks, and applied anthropology .

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• At the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced levels of current knowledge and intensive understanding in medical anthropology theories.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Deploy analytical skills specific to the topics of health and environmental change.
• Be competent in accessing and assimilating specialised research literature of an advanced nature.

Key Skills:

• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments in written form.
• Critical analysis of literature and data
• Self-reflection on knowledge and skills acquired and developed
• Accessing library resources
• Undertaking independent study and research
• Preparation and effective communication of interpretations and arguments in written form

• Lectures may consist of pre-recorded videos, live presentations, break-out discussions or other activities as appropriate to the material covered from week to week
• Seminar / tutorial elements will develop topics introduced in lectures and required reading to analyse aspects or case studies in greater depth and to prepare students for their summative assignment.
• Advanced discussion classes will allow students to develop their skills of critical thinking and evaluation, as well as how to synthesise and interrogate material at a level commensurate with postgraduate attainment.
• Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references in advance of tutorials and general and particular reading related to the assessment, which will be a written assignment (such as an essay or report).

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.