GDEV 2305 - Planning for Change

(SBA-AG, WRT-AG)

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only (no audit).

Permission of department required. Enrollment limited to: Global Development majors.

J. Blekking.

This course will provide students with theoretical frameworks, practical tools, and methods of written expression needed to foster inclusive development practice. Beginning with perspectives on practitioner ethics, the course walks students through the life-cycle of a development interventions, from issue identification and project conceptualization, to planning and implementation, to monitoring and evaluation. Through analytic writing, students will use evidence to explore the dynamics of power which can lead to complex, and even contentious development outcomes. Several development practitioners will present case studies of their own work to provide lessons and examples upon which students will be able to draw.

Outcome 1: Connect theories of development to predicaments in real-life development practice.

Outcome 2: Apply a range of professional skills and tools related to planning for and implementing development interventions.

Outcome 3: Demonstrate effective evidence-based writing for both development professionals and for public/non-specialist audiences.

Outcome 4: Facilitate participatory learning activities (PLA) in the context of development program planning and reporting.