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SP50269: Critical skills for international development and policy research

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW100
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:

* To enable students to develop a coherent multidisciplinary framework for analyzing development and policy issues;
* To introduce students to ethical issues raised by the conduct of research in development and policy issues;
* To introduce students to techniques and practical skills related to research in international development and policy analysis;
* To develop skills in preparing and giving presentations for development and policy audiences;
* To develop skills for working effectively as part of a group.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit the student will have:
* An understanding of the challenges and value of multi-disciplinarity and the ability to approach a topic with a combination of disciplinary perspectives;
* An understanding of methodological issues related to the multidisciplinary nature of doing research related to development and policy issues;
* An understanding of the ethical issues surrounding primary research in development settings;
* Skills in preparing and presenting for a range of academic and professional situations;
* Tools and awareness necessary to ensure effective team working;
* Ability to find, organize and review policy related data and literature.

Skills:

* Cross-cultural and interpersonal sensitivity (T/F)
* Ability to work within an approved ethical framework (T/F)
* Effective oral communication (T/F/A)
* Ability to select, summarise & synthesise written information from multiple sources (T/F/A)
* Ability to work effectively as part of a group or team (T/F/A)
* Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem (T/F/A)
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F)
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision of guidance (T/F)
* Ability to work effectively as part of a group or team (T/F/A).

Content:
The unit will be run over a one-week block in week six of Semester One. During the block students will cover the following three key themes (more themes may be developed in the future subject to DLTQC and FLTQC approval):
* Multidisciplinarity in development and policy research
* Mapping problems prior to intervention
* Reporting on project outcomes.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP50269 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

SP50269 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THSP-AFM13 : MSc International Public Policy Analysis (Full-time)
  • THSP-APM13 : MSc International Public Policy Analysis (Part-time)
  • THSP-AFM15 : MSc Wellbeing in Public Policy and International Development (Full-time)
  • THSP-APM15 : MSc Wellbeing in Public Policy and International Development (Part-time)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.