REGULATIONS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS DEGREE IN DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (AH01)
Overview
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
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 Prospects
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.
Assessment
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
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
- 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.