Course Level: Graduate

This course introduces key social categories that affect politics and development at the local/micro/project level. These include class; status (including the operation of elites; bureaucrats, and development professionals); ethnicity; caste; gender, and differences based on culture and religion; and abilities/disabilities. It also emphasizes that these categories are fluid; time- and location-specific; and open to contestation. From an applied perspective; the material in this course provides a conceptual background for; and useful pointers towards; competent and informed social assessment. Reference is made to a number of practical tools including gender analysis; stakeholder analysis; social (impact) assessment; and participatory rural appraisal. The course also provides an opportunity to observe a number of case studies. Usually offered every term.