The course investigates the tools used in the management for development programs in a critical fashion.  In particular the course focusses on how different perspectives in aid programming (including women, beneficiary, administrator and donor), and the level of their participation will influence program outcomes; and how these perspectives can be better incorporated in the tools used for designing development projects.  The objectives are to: 

• to understand the key program and project management tools available, their strengths and weaknesses, the reasons for using them, and how they may be applied in different circumstances;

• to understand the relationship between the different elements of aid programming e.g., inputs, outputs, outcomes, impact and appropriate indicators for each;

• to understand how different perspectives in aid programming (including gender, beneficiary, administrator and donor) and their participation will influence program outcomes.

 Finally it will examine issues of monitoring, evaluation and measuring impact.

At the end of the course the students will be able to :

• Be able to design a small scale development project and be able to contribute to the design of major projects;

• In a policy setting be able to defend the different perspective of stakeholders in a development program;

• Demonstrate an understand of  the difficulties of including gender perspectives in development work;

• Be able critically analyse a complete Logical Framework Analysis in a national policy or develoment program context.

• Be able to choose the most appropriate monitoring and evaluating approach to a particular development program.

Course Assessment will be based on

• A Project Design (60%) -: no more than 10 pages plus annexes. This will be an individual project design write up following the class based work.  Due date: one Month after Completion of online sessions.

• One Literature Review (30%) of 2,000 words from three selected readings from the reading lists for one of the themes covered in weeks 1.

• 20% - Contribution to Daily Online Forums.

This course will be conducted as an online intensive course in the Summer session from mid January to early February over 10 days.  Course materials will be delivered on line including a daily lecture on Camtasia (or similar software); a live classroom session (one hour) as a seminar, and the posting of discussion reflections, and questions based on the readings on-line.