PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME

The purpose of the programme is to expose students to the theories and practices of development planning and management. The programme also aims to produce middle to upper -level development managers that have the knowledge and skills to formulate, develop and sustain viable development programmes in both governmental and non-governmental spheres. By the end of the programme, students should therefore have the knowledge and skills in development planning and management as well as possession of skills in development programming.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

2.1          Normal Entry:

Candidates must Have obtained 5 ‘O’ Level passes including Geography, English Language and Mathematics passed with at least a grade C and two passes in ‘A’ Level subjects or their recognised equivalents;

2.2          Special Entry:

A candidate must have obtained a diploma in a development related discipline or a recognisable relevant qualification from an acceptable institution in which development and/or geosciences issues were involved;

2.3          Mature Entry:

A candidate must be 25years of age with relevant working experience and have passed 5 ‘O’ level subjects including Geography, English Language and Mathematics passed with at least a grade C. The candidate must also have relevant experience for at least two years. The candidate may be required to pass a written/ oral entrance examination set by the University. University General Regulations apply to other issues.

  CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates have career opportunities in a wide array of institutions and organisations which include the following: middle to upper-level management social research organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, International Governmental Organisations, Donor Agencies and Government Ministries and Departments; and self-employment initiatives.

Coursework: At least two (2) assignments per module constituting 40% of the examination total mark

Written Examinations: Three (3) hour examinations per module constitute 60% of the examination total mark

 PROVISION OF PROGRESSION

Refer to Section 6 of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Code            Module                                                                                Credits

Level 1 Semester 1

DPMH 111   Introduction to Development Studies                                     12

DPMH 112   Introduction to Gender Studies                                              12

DPMH 113   Introduction to Development Planning                                   12

DPMH 114   Introduction to Development Management                             12

HCS 135      Introduction to Information Technology                                 12

CS 131         Basic Communication Skills                                                 12

 

LEVEL 1 Semester 2  

DPMH 121   Histories and Theories of Development Planning                    12

DPMH 122   Histories and Theories of Development Management             12

DPMH 123   Managing Development Finance                                           12

DPMH 124   Governance and Development                                               12

CS 132         Extended Communication Skills                                            12

DPMH 125   ICT for Development Planning and Management                               12

 

Level 2 Semester 1

DPMH 211   Disaster Management                                                           12

DPMH 212   Rural Development Planning and Management                      12

DPMH 213:  Human Rights in Development Planning and Management     12

DPMH 214   Introduction to Research Methods                                         12

DPMH 215   Water and Sustainable Development                                      12

DPMH 216   Migration and Development                                                  12

ENT 131      Entrepreneurship                                                                  12

 

Level 2 Semester 2 

DPMH 221   Project Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Report Writing 12

DPMH 222   Urban Development Planning and Management                     12

DPMH 223   Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations               12

DPMH 224   Integrated Development Planning and Management                12

DPMH 225   Local Governance Management                                            12

DPMH 226   Counselling and Development                                               12

 

Level 3 Semester 1

DPMH 300 Work- Related Placement Report                                                 15

 

Level 3 Semester 2

DPMH 301   Work- Related Learning Report                                             40

DPMH 302   Academic Supervisor’s Report                                              40

DPMH 303   Employer’s Assessment Report                                             40

 

Level 4 Semester 1

DPMH 411   Gender in Development Planning and Management                12

DPMH 412   Extended Research Methods                                                 12

DPMH 413   Agricultural Development Planning and Management             12

DPMH 414   Development Policy Analysis and Planning                           12

 

Level 4 Semester 2

DPMH 421   Public Health Planning and Management for Development     12

DPMH 422   Environmental Planning and Management                             12

DPMH 423   Conflict Management and Transformation                             12

DPMH 424   Dissertation                                                                          24

 

13.         MODULE SYNOPSES

 

DPMH 111: Introduction to Development Studies

This module introduces students to Development studies as an interdisciplinary field of study. The definition of the concept of development and the relevant ideological disagreements about the definition of development and the people who define it will be foregrounded. The module also explores the various development theories that have arisen in an attempt to create solutions for third- world development problems. It further provides an overview of the common methods of measuring development including the Human Development Index, the Gross Domestic Product and the Index for Sustainable Economic Welfare. Other themes introduced to students are institutions, gender, environment and globalisation.

DPMH 112: Introduction to Gender Studies

In this module, major concepts, arguments and issues in the gender debate are discussed. A distinction between sex and gender in addition to key concepts of WID, GAD, gender empowerment and gender mainstreaming are discussed. The mode covers gender and development challenges. Various issues are discussed and these include various gender theories, models, frameworks and blueprints. Gender is discussed in the context of culture and religion and its application to development. It undertakes a robust comparative analysis of women’s and men’s participation in various sectors of the economy i.e. smallholder and commercial agriculture, manufacturing and processing, vending and informal activities including cross -border trading and the service industry presented as well as challenges they face. The course also looks at the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and International conventions respectively in the context of gender and development.

DPMH 113: Introduction to Development Planning

The module introduces students to the basic concepts and issues in the field of development planning. It helps students to understand what planning is, its general scope and the different dimensions of planning. In terms of scope, the module looks closely at the procedural and substantive nature of planning and how both procedure and substance define the vocation of planning. In this module, students are also expected to have a fair appreciation of the different dimensions of planning such as time horizons, spatial levels and operational or substantive fields of planning.

 

DPMH 114: Introduction to Development Management

The module is designed to assist students to have a general appreciation of the basic concepts and principles of management and how these principles can be applied in the management of development interventions. In this module, the different key functions of management are also explored and the relevance of these functions to development is explained.

 

HCS 115 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Regulations of the Department of Information Systems

CS 131: Basic Communications Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

 

DPMH 121: Histories and Theories of Planning

The module traces the origin of planning and the paradigms informing the vocation of planning. Some of the paradigms examined in this module include rational-comprehensive planning theory, incremental planning theory, advocacy planning theory and mixed-scanning planning theory. Planning approaches informed by these paradigms such as blueprint, process and strategic planning approaches will also be examined in this module.

DPMH 122: Histories and Theories of Management

The module traces the evolution of management theories focusing specifically on the various shifts in management thought from scientific management theories to the contemporary new public management theories. The module also examines the appropriateness and applicability of these classical and contemporary management theories in the practice of development management.

DPMH 123: Managing Development Finance 

The module assists students to understand strategies and systems that should be put in place to effectively manage and properly account for development finances. To that end, students are expected to have a general appreciation of budgeting, auditing and how to prepare income statements, balance sheets and financial expenditure tracking systems. An understanding of the operations of credit and general capital markets is also important in helping students understand how to source funds for development from the open market and aid agencies. 

 

DPMH 124: Governance and Development

The module explores different governance frameworks within which development interventions are planned and managed and the implications of these frameworks for developmental planning and management. Topics covered in this module include definition of governance and the different state ideologies undergirding governance such as autocracy, pluralism and corporatism. Key principles of good corporate governance such as accountability, transparency, freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of the media, rule of law, constitutionalism, decentralisation and public participation, among many others, are also examined in this module.

 

CS132: Extended Communication Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

 

DPMH 125: ICT for Development Planning and Management

The use of information and communication technology (ICTs) fosters efficiency in development planning and management. The module equips students with knowledge about the different information and communication technologies and how these technologies are applied in development planning and management. Focus in this module is particularly on those ICTs that are relevant to Development planning and management

DPMH 211: Disaster Management

This module discusses major sources and the nature of disasters and their impact on both rural and urban lives and livelihoods. Students are also exposed to key strategies for mitigating the impact of disasters on lives and livelihoods. Strategies for preventing or coping with disaster situations are also closely examined in this module.

DPMH 212: Rural Development Planning and Management

The module examines both traditional and contemporary views on rural change. The module also exposes students to key rural development approaches like the improvement approach, transformation approach, neo-liberal approach and pragmatic or post-modernist approach and how these approaches could be used to harness rural human and material resources for the long-term productivity and development of rural regions.

DPMH 213: Human Rights in Development Planning and Management

The module introduces the main concepts for the analysis of human rights such as downward accountability, consensus, legitimacy, social justice, human dignity, diversity, tolerance, pluralism, civil society, sovereignty, gender etc. Students are exposed to the dominant paradigms on human rights in Africa, viz, the Athens-to Washington Narrative of Human Rights/Western Liberal Universalist Discourse, the African Cultural Relativist Paradigm/ Communitarian School of Thought as well as the African Radical Materialist Conception of Human Rights in Africa.

DPMH 214: Introduction to Research Methods

This module introduces students to different research epistemologies, designs and methods for data collection and analysis. The module also enables students to learn how to identify problems to research, develop research objectives, problem statements, research questions, and hypothesis, and onduct a review of related literature.

DPMH 215: Water and Sustainable Development

Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and human survival itself. It is vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, welfare and productivity of populations. Inadequate access to drinking water and sanitation is a significant threat to public health, making it a major obstacle to sustainable social and economic development. Sound governance of water resources is vital for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore this module, offers problem-orientated curricula based on actual water-related challenges that engage students in critical and innovative thinking, to be able to handle future challenges. Learning activities within this module encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and engage students with interdisciplinary approaches.

DPMH 216:   Migration and Development

Since the last few decades, the number of people living outside their countries of their birth has risen significantly. This module therefore introduces students to the various concepts and dimensions of migration, both internal and international and how they affect and are also affected by development and economic development. It also engages dominant theories of migration. This will enable students to comprehend Africa’s position in the global world and how the continent is connected with, as well as included in main discourses, plans and global concerns with human population movements and economic growth.

ENT 131: Entrepreneurship

Refer to Faculty of Business Sciences regulations

DPMH 221: Project Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Report Writing  

The module provides a foundation in the concepts, tools and techniques of project planning and management. The module looks at the whole project life cycle. In this life cycle, major stages to be examined include identification, appraisal, activation and monitoring and evaluation. Other critical issues to be explored in the module include project leadership, project governance project risk management, report writing skills and project resourcing. Project resourcing, in particular looks at resource mobilisation/project proposal development

 

DPMH 222: Urban Development Planning and Management

This module seeks to equip students with knowledge of the processes of planning and managing urban regions.  In this module, students will be exposed to the major theories informing urban land use planning and management, urban development and the built environment and how these theories can be applied to further stimulate urban development and the built environment. The module also focuses specifically on urban settlements, efficient urban transportation, urban health and the general urban social environment.

 

DPMH 223:  Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations

Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations play a vital role in development. The way these organisations are managed is key to the delivery of desired development outcomes. In this module, students will also be exposed to the management systems used in these organisations and how best these management systems could be improved.

 

DPMH 224: Integrated Development Planning and Management

An integrated approach to development planning and management is based on the assumption that development problems are an organic whole. The holistic nature of development problems requires that the development efforts of a myriad of key governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in the planning and management of development be combined or integrated. The module therefore seeks to help students appreciate the specific benefits and challenges associated with an integrated approach to development planning and management and how these combined efforts could be enhanced to ensure effective planning and management of development.

DPMH 225: Local Government Management

The local sphere has increasingly become an important locus of development work. This brings to the fore the equally increasing role of local governments in development planning and management. The module, therefore, equips students with basic knowledge of the management of local governments and strategies to improve the management of local governments for effective development planning

 

Work -related learning

This is a one -year structured, credit-bearing work experience in a professional work setting during which the student applies academic knowledge and acquires practical or field-based skills and knowledge. From the industrial attachment, students are expected to: 1) explore career interests, 2) learn new skills, 3) gain work experience, 4) develop a professional network, and 5) understand and appreciate workplace expectations.

 

DPMH 300 Work -Related Placement Report

This is a preliminary report that a student compiles demonstrating his or her knowledge and understanding of the organisation to which he or she is attached. The student should be able to identify and describe the organisation where they have been placed for their work- related learning. The student should also be able to justify the relevance of the placement or organisation in relation to his or her programme of study. The student must understand and outline the organisation’s history, organogram, mandate, mission, vision and objectives. Students are also assessed for their understanding of work challenges and the sustainability of solutions they suggest.

 

 

DPMH 301: Student’s Work-Related Learning Report

DPMH 302: Academic Supervisor’s Assessment Report

DPMH 303: Employer’s Assessment Report

 

DPMH 411: Gender in Development Planning and Management 

The module discusses gender mainstreaming as a strategy to achieve gender equality. Gender mainstreaming implies considering the needs of both women and men at every stage of the policy or programme/project planning and management cycle. The module aims to provide students with comprehensive knowledge about gender mainstreaming and gender analysis. The module also draws on best practices and case studies on gender mainstreaming from across the world.

DPMH 412: Extended Research Methods for Development

The module exposes students to research epistemologies appropriate for development. In this module, students are therefore exposed to the mixed methods research (MMR). In qualitative research, paradigms like ethnography, phenomenology and grounded theory, all of which are used for understanding multiple or social realities, are explored in this module. In the quantitative epistemology, survey and other appropriate designs are explored. The module also exposes students to quantitative data analysis using modern statistical software packages such as SPSS, EPI, INFO, ENVIVO, EXCEL etc

 

DPMH 413: Agricultural Development Planning and Management 

The module locates the centrality of agriculture in promoting development. It focuses on issues relating to the effective planning and efficient management of and distribution and agrarian change policies, programmes and projects.

 

DPMH 414: Development Policy Analysis and Planning

The module introduces the concept of development policy analysis and planning in development planning and management. The module looks at the public/development policy cycle and it prepares students to contribute effectively to development policy debates, policy preparation, policy implementation and evaluation processes in Africa and other developing countries.

 

DPMH 421: Public Health Planning and Management

This module equips students with expertise in the planning, implementation and evaluation of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Substantive knowledge areas in this module include the definition of public health, the nexus between public health and development, health promotion, primary health care, socio-economic determinants of public health, health and culture, HIV/AIDS and public health, climate change and health, child and maternal health, adolescent health, principles of epidemiology, communicable and non-communicable diseases.

 

DPMH 422: Environmental Planning and Management

There is growing recognition that global environmental changes are socially driven and are also closely related to issues of equity, justice, power, politics and pursuits for livelihoods. The module therefore examines social, economic and political factors contributing to the negative environmental changes occurring in most less developed countries to identify and implement strategies aimed at alleviating the negative impact of human activities on the environment. The module also examines the efficacy of environmental laws and plans as potential solutions to key environmental challenges.

 

DPMH 423: Conflict Management and Transformation

The module aims at making students get acquainted with conflict management and transformation programme plans that have been implemented in different countries around the globe and how they have assisted in resolving conflict. The major thrust of conflict transformation is to enable relationships of respect, cooperation and consent, and constructive means and norms for dealing with conflict. Students will be exposed to people -centered approaches to conflict management and transformation. Key driving factors of conflict are going to be studied alongside actions meant to transform institutions that justify and reproduce direct, cultural and structural violence at the global, national and local levels. The module will aim to show how conflict management takes a pragmatic approach to conflict by constructing agreements and practices that allow people to effectively cooperate despite their differences. Instead of focusing on how a specific conflict can be resolved or transformed the module will aim at teaching students to rather offer strategies to mitigate a conflict’s negative effects. Students will be expected to stay abreast of conflict management programmes that have been implemented in different countries as a way of resolving conflicts. At the end of the module, students will have learnt the importance of transforming cultures of violence into cultures of peace.  

DPMH 424: Dissertation

In this module, students are required to engage in a research topic approved by the Department under the supervision of a designated academic staff member or members. The module requires the student to exhibit the knowledge and ability to define a research topic, select a methodology, referencing and other related research skills. The student must complete a written piece of research work of approximately 5 000 to 10000 words. This is a double module and students are expected to practice methodological issues learnt in various research modules. Apart from equipping students with practical research skills, one of the ideas behind this module is to enable students to understand and provide practical solutions to social problems bedevilling society at any given time.