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Programme Planning & Management - POL00010M

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  • Department: Politics
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Rebecca Engel
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module introduces students to the issues, dilemmas and practical components concerning the planning, management and evaluation of projects and programmes in conflict-affected contexts. The module begins by considering methodological approaches to conflict analysis, in order to understand the context in which programmes are to be set. Students will explore the political, security, and ethical challenges and opportunities presented by the post-war operational context, encompassing issues of unpredictability, risk, donor relations, operational security, and conflict sensitivity. The module moves on to explore different theories and mechanisms for the management of reconstruction projects, including assessing community needs and programme viabilities. It imparts the principles, skills and techniques required for project planning, management, and monitoring and evaluation of reconstruction programmes in situations of significant flux and instability. It provides applied training on writing project proposals, developing logical frameworks, and the techniques of evaluation. The module aims to provide students with knowledge of the professional and practical skills and experience required by organisations working in the field of post-war recovery, reconstruction and development.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

By the end of the module, students should:

  • Be able to critically examine the different political, ethical and security challenges and opportunities presented by post-war contexts.
  • Be able to critically reflect on the key issues and principles of operating in post-conflict contexts, particularly from a peace-building or development perspective.
  • Be able to explain the various theories, methods and means for managing complex projects and programmes in complex post-war contexts.

 

Academic and graduate skills

By the end of the module, students should:

  • Be able to develop, research and write excellent project proposals and funding applications for a variety of project and programme purposes
  • Be able to design, manage, evaluate, monitor, and execute context-specific development projects, and be in a position to work effectively in development and humanitarian organisations
  • Be able to apply field-specific skills of working and operating effectively, safely and ethically with and within post-war societies to project programming
  • Be able to think critically about complex subjects
  • Be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms
  • Be able to present complex concepts and topics confidently
  • Be able to engage in effective secondary research

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive formal written feedback on their summative assignments within 6 weeks of submission.

Indicative reading

National Audit Office (2008) Department for international Development: Operating in Insecure Environments.

OECD (2014) Development Assistance and Approaches to Risk in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States.

HPN (2010) Operational security management in violent environments.

World Bank (2005) The LogFrame Handbook: A Logical Framework Approach to Project Cycle Management

Bush and Duggan(2013) Evaluation in Conflict Zones: Methodological and Ethical Challenges


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.