CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON

Transcription

1 CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON MSc / POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONTENTS The course The core modules The optional modules The dissertation The teaching / learning methods The assessment The staff Full or part-time Entry requirements Scholarship Contacts The post-graduate programme at CIDT is an innovative and practical one, focused not only on deepening academic knowledge but developing skills in: Participatory approaches (including PLA) Working with communities Poverty reduction and social inclusion Training, facilitation and capacity building Information and communication for development Programme and project management Policy and planning Review, monitoring and evaluation Our multi-disciplinary learning team includes students from North and South and a staff of international development practitioners, offering a forum for exchange of ideas, experience and views. The course content and ethos reflect an emphasis on participation and active developmental research. Every opportunity to explore individual interest and areas of expertise is encouraged, through negotiated learning and the medium of flexible assessment. CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

2 THE MODULES The MSc award route has three levels. They are: Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) Master's Degree (180 credits) To gain a Masters degree, participants take six CORE modules worth a total of 90 credits, select appropriate OPTIONAL modules to make up another 30 credits, and undertake a DISSERTATION project for a further 60 credits, as shown in the figure below. Core modules x 6 (90 credits) Optional modules (30 credits) POST- GRADUATE DIPLOMA Dissertation project (60 credits) MASTER S DEGREE CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

3 THE CORE MODULES Content and aims of the modules are listed below. Some modules run in intensive blocks, others weekly across a term. Development in practice Analyse strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to development in relation to personal development experience Critically evaluate the influence of development agencies on development interventions This module locates practices of development within historical and cultural contexts and establishes links between the structures and processes of development implementation and their effects upon stakeholders. Models of and new approaches to development are examined, through topics such as aid, globalisation, governance, civil society, community development and extension. Social perspectives in development planning Identify constraints to participation in development projects which affect the most vulnerable groups in a society Critically explore how the complex interaction between ethnicity, gender, class, caste, economics and politics can operate to compound disadvantage Use social and gender analysis tools to disaggregate statistics, to identify social issues and as a planning tool This module reviews the historical perspective of development planning, including issues relating to the North/South divide and explores social issues relating to equity, poverty reduction and good governance. A range of analysis and planning tools are introduced and attitudes, skills and strategies for facilitating participation in a development context are developed. CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

4 Effective communication in education and extension Review and evaluate the range of approaches to communication available to development, education and extension Consider culturally related limitations to effective communication The module seeks to address problems of communication, particularly in authoritative, top-down processes, by firstly confronting and extending our understanding of the process, and secondly by providing opportunities to change practice. Failure of communication is not simply a matter of linguistics but it also involves differences in perception and the nature of the society. Planning training and development programmes Critically examine approaches to training and development Explore the relationship between training needs, design and evaluation of training. Develop awareness of factors to consider when designing a needs analysis strategy and training programme. This module explores the theory and practice behind the delivery of effective training in a range of different contexts, from formal courses, to informal workshops. It takes participants on a journey around the Training Cycle, from the initial identification and analysis of needs, through design and delivery of training, the evaluation of training. CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

5 Participatory management Review current thinking and experience of the management of change Use a variety of tools for project management including stakeholder and problem analysis, STEP, SWOT and risk analysis and logical frameworks Develop a participatory organisational or institutional development management plan This module recognises that participatory management methods, skills and a personal willingness to be inclusive are seen as essential for modern development managers. Change management is key in development work and the active participation of a wide range of stakeholders is required for successful and sustainable change. Research methods Understand the different research paradigms and use a variety of research techniques through execution of a personal research project Develop awareness of the aims, techniques and possibilities of research in relation to policy development and formation This module targets skills appropriate to conducting research into aspects on individual participants professional situations, equipping them with competence in a variety of research methods appropriate to the investigation of problems and issues within their context. CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

6 THE OPTIONAL MODULES Optional modules can be taken from anywhere within the University or an Independent Study module can be undertaken to pursue specific interests. A Volunteering in the Community module allows students to gain further professional experience through carrying out a piece of research (e.g. an evaluation) for an organisation in their field of interest. Options offered within CIDT are: Media and communication Examine the relationship between the needs of an audience and the qualities of the materials designed for them Develop media production skills This module will provide an opportunity for students to learn the skills necessary to design, produce and test a package of education and extension materials in an appropriate format for use with a specified target population to achieve well defined learning outcomes. Human health and the environment Examine the factors in the physical, biological and social environment that influence individual and community health Explore environment and health in a social context in various European and non-european, Temperate and Tropical situations Identify and explore those issues that relate to your own professional situation This module will explore the relationships among environmental issues that influence human health, study particularly beneficial to those working in natural resources, health care, health promotions, or education whose activities involve planning or training. Attitudes and customs profoundly influence health; moreover health and "wellness" are related to power, control, and a number of other social and political factors. CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

7 Sustainable agriculture Explore current practice and thinking concerning a range of key agricultural resource management issues Investigate the biological, socio-economic, institutional and policy aspects of sustainable agriculture. This module examines the vital challenge of changing needs require both appropriate on-farm management and an understanding of wider socioeconomic, institutional and policy issues. Farming environments, especially in the Tropics, are often fragile making the achievement of sustainable and efficient production without social and environmental damage all the more important and difficult. Participatory Forest Management Planning Evaluate current theories and practice with regard to participation, participatory management and natural resource management Understand the processes, tools and approaches adopted in participatory forest management in a range of situations This module deals with a new body of theory and practice integrating technical forest management planning and participatory approaches to forestry. It is recognised that technical approaches to forest management need to include environmental, social and economic objectives and participatory forestry needs to incorporate robust approaches to resource assessment and management. Sustainable Watershed Management Sustainable watershed management is the planning and implementation of natural resource utilisation in a catchment area, in order to sustain livelihoods through environmental conservation. Review the principles, processes, practices and management techniques for sustainable and participatory watershed management CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

8 Analyse different watershed management implementation approaches with regard to participation, sustainability and effectiveness This modules recognises that for successful management in this increasingly complex sector there is a need to focus on institutions, institutional linkage, and the building of capacity to manage effectively. Gender issues, disadvantaged groups, distributional equity and the ownership or partnership of the people involved are also vital aspects. THE DISSERTATION Undertaking the MSc dissertation enables you to investigate in detail a specific professional issue from your work or area of interest. You may be able to carry out fieldwork in your workplace. THE TEACHING/LEARNING METHODS Course delivery follows a very learner centred approach using a wide range of non-formal teaching methods. Activity or task-based learning is a core approach rather than the traditional lecture. Other methods include: Group work, presentations, projects, case study, discussion, simulation exercises, visiting lecturers, field visits, study visits, student led seminars, practical exercises. Your tutors will provide you with individual support and guidance throughout the programme. THE ASSESSMENT The programme offers a flexible approach to assessment that enables you to focus on issues or areas of work that are relevant to you individually - you can tailor the assignment title to your needs and interest. Assignments normally involve a project of development research conducted systematically over several weeks. CIDT offers a strong personal support system to students, a minimum of three tutorials prior to the submission of an assignment, and one tutorial for feedback after assessment. Study skills sessions will be arranged throughout the first semester. CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

9 THE STAFF CIDT s knowledgeable and friendly staff have practical experience in development in the UK and overseas that enhances their formal qualifications. All staff engage in a wide range of training, project and programme management and institutional development consultancy work for DFID and other international donors in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central and Latin America and the Pacific. Hence the course is located in the experience of International Development practitioners; for example case studies and examples of current projects complement the taught programme. This relevant and cutting edge experience ensures the course deals with the latest trends and thinking on the development scene. Staff profiles and CIDT current and past training and consultancies can be viewed elsewhere on our website. FULL OR PART-TIME CIDT philosophy is one of access and flexibility. We currently host full-time sponsored and self-funding students and part-time students balancing study with family or work. You can spread your studies out over a period of up to five years and combinations are available to suit your personal requirements. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS You would normally be required to have: BSc degree or equivalent Three years appropriate experience A good standard of written and spoken English CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

10 SCHOLARSHIP CIDT operate a Shared Scholar scheme with the Department for International Development, offering a limited number of places. To be eligible for the scholarship the following conditions apply. You must: Have a minimum 2:1 award at Bachelors level Be 35 years old or under Be from a Commonwealth country Not be a government employee Not have studied overseas before CONTACT DETAILS We welcome your further enquiries. Please contact MSc coordinators Sarah Thomas or Bob Kowalski, or administrator Dawn Springthorpe or fill in an online application form. Centre for International Development and Training University of Wolverhampton Shifnal Road Priorslee Telford TF2 9NT United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) cidt@wlv.ac.uk Web site: CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING