Additional Information

Instruction Mode: In Person
This course serves as an introduction to the principals and practice of program monitoring, evaluation and learning (M&E or MEL) for community development organizations. Students will learn how to develop frameworks and tools that help small and mid-sized social service organizations answer the question: Is our program working? This course is part conceptual and part applied, teaching students critical thinking for evaluation and practical skills in M&E planning and evaluation design. During the course of the semester students will have the opportunity to work with a community development organization and will design and present an evaluation or M&E plan for use in a real practice setting. Students are highly encouraged to have previously taken or be concurrently enrolled in one or both of the following: GDEV 3305/5305 Planning for Change (previously DSOC/IARD 3305/5305) or GDEV 2130/5130 (previously DSOC 3130/5130) Social Indicators and Introduction to Research Methods. Students with questions about their preparation for the course should reach out to the instructor.

Additional Information

Instruction Mode: In Person
In this seminar we will explore the contested terrain of development theory. Our work together will include close readings of texts, student-facilitated class discussions, reflective writing, and listening to and interacting with three guest lecturers. The main aims for the course, pursued as our collective work and responsibility, are (1) to offer everyone support in understanding the nature, meaning, and significance of different theories of development; (2) to learn from contemporary examples of scholarship that creatively utilize and produce innovations in development theory; and (3) to give and receive feedback on ideas and plans for participants’ use and production of development theories in their research projects.

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