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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2205 Development Practice

20 creditsClass Size: 45

Module manager: Dr Anna Mdee
Email: A.L.Mdee@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

PIED 2710 Use of Data in Development Studies

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is for International Development students only and is not available as an discovery module, nor as a general option for POLIS students. "This is where the rubber hits the road in development" was the enthusiastic endorsement of students completing this course. This module offers an introduction to aspects of development practice, allowing students to relate theoretical ideas to practices on the ground. A wide range of development agencies are introduced and their aims and contributions to development critically appraised. Students learn about different ways of evaluating and measuring development progress, including how to interpret secondary data. Student learn about how projects and programmes are put together, debating the discourses of ‘innovation’ and ‘good practices’ in the world of practice, and developing a critical stance towards assessing project design and development management. They develop practical skills in applied aspects of the participatory development paradigm and development management tools in workshops designed to develop skills and encourage critical engagement with practice. Brief Reading List Kumar, S. (2003) Methods for Community Participation: A complete guide for practitioners. ITDG publishing.Laws, Sophie with C. Harper and R. Marcus (2003) Research for Development: A Practical Guide London, Sage with Save the ChildrenMikkelsen, B. (2005) Methods for Development Work and Research: a new guide for practitioners New Delhi: Sage Potter, R. and V. Desai (2006) Doing Development Research. London: Sage Publications. (especially. ch. 1 The raison d’être of doing development research).and Desai, V and R. Potter (2002) (ed) The Companion to Development Studies London, Arnold Thomas, A. & Allen, T., (2000) ‘Agencies of Development’, in A. Thomas & T. Allen (eds) Poverty and Development into the 21st Century. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Objectives

This module is for International Development students only and is not available as an discovery module, nor as a general option for POLIS students This module offers an introduction to aspects of development practice, allowing students to relate theoretical ideas to practices on the ground. A wide range of development agencies are introduced and their aims and contributions to development critically appraised. Students learn about different ways of evaluating and measuring development progress, including how to interpret secondary data. Student learn about how projects and programmes are designed and implemented, debating the discourses of ‘innovation’ and ‘good practices’ in the world of practice, and developing a critical stance towards assessing intervention design and the development industry. Students also learn about advocacy and policy work and techniques of political analysis as applied to development practice.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- distinguish between different development agents and critically analyse their strengths and weaknesses; and apply this understanding to an individual case study;
- recognise different ways of measuring and evaluating development, and become proficient in reading and interpreting secondary data.
- understand key elements of designing development interventions (including logical framework analysis and theory of change) and be able apply this understanding in a critical analysis of an individual project/intervention design;
demonstrate familiarity with applications of a) participatory data collection methods; b) project management tools currently utilised in development practice; c) policy advocacy approaches and d) political analysis in development practice.


Syllabus

Development Agents: Who are they and what do they do?
'Measuring' Development: What is 'progress', who benefits, and how is it measured?
Case studies of development agency projects, approaches and topics
Development intervention: design principles, logical framework planning, theory of change, innovation, and case studies, different formats and scales of intervention
Power and practice in the aid chain.
Political analysis of development practice

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar112.0022.00
Private study hours167.00
Total Contact hours33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study


Students will be required to prepare for discussions in seminars through extensive reading of sources listed on the module reading list. In addition to this, students should spend time preparing for their assessments which should include finding and using sources not listed on their reading list.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In each seminar, students will complete a ‘readiness assurance test’ individually and as a team. Exercises in seminars will build in formation peer and lecturer feedback

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Group ProjectProduce an 'objective' policy brief/infographic/communication aimed at a bilateral donor on a topic of your choice Week 830.00
Portfolio Critical reflective statement (2000 words) on development practice-evidence by portfolio of RATS, classroom exercises and additional reading (requires substantial seminar attendance)70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/05/2017

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