Title of Lecture

International Development Projects with Case Method

Term

Spring semester (Even year)

Credit

0-2-0

Lecturer

Jun-ichi TAKADA (O-okayama South Building No. 6, Room 213 (ext.3282))　　　　　　Shinobu YAMAGUCHI (Ishikawadai GSIC Building, Room 202 (ext.3686))

Introduction and Aim

The meaning of "development" in the context of international development had evolved during the past 30 years. A variety of

 international organizations as well as bilateral aid organizations all over the world participated in different areas of development. At

 the same time, the measurement and/or indicators of "development" faced significant changes. By all means, the management of

 international development projects is not a simple task. There is no "best manual" to follow. Recent development projects require

 more integration of different fields, such as education, health, industry, economy, engineering, law and others. Given this background,

 it is increasingly important that professionals must understand and be able to design practical approaches to overcome various kinds

 of problems. These approaches often require the participants to create effective working relationships with practitioners in other

 field, governments, and organizations. This process involves a series of analysis and compromise.

 This course aims at introducing practical approaches to development projects. Traditional teaching in the classroom based on

 lectures and exams, often do not address the need for practical, problem-solving skills. The important and crucial ability for effective

 project management is the ability to think, analyze, discuss, and develop solutions to problems as professionals may encounter in the

 field. The case method is an effective approach to strengthening these skills

 A case method uses a story, based on actual events. A teaching case is a story about "the real world" and it is discussion-based and

 experiential. The students are expected to use cases: 1) to become competence and confidence in critical, analytical thinking; and 2)

 to develop the skills of argument and persuasion. The students are responsible to prepare, to contribute, and to express own opinions

 and ideas. This means, the students' participation in classroom makes a difference. In order to enhance interest in development

 arena and to promote exposure to different areas of development, case materials in this course cover various fields of development

 projects.

Schedule

Week 1:

Introduction to the course

Week 2:

Lecture/Discussion: Development (government vs. people)

Reading & Exercise 1:

1."Defining and measuring human development", UNDP Human

Development Report 1990, UNDP, Oxford University Press, 1990.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/1990/en/pdf/hdr_1990_ch1.pdf

2."Human development - past, present and future" UNDP Human Development Report

2001, UNDP, Oxford University Press, 2001.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2001/en/pdf/chapterone.pdf

Week 3:

Case Method 1: "Polio Immunization Policy in Lang-Tang Province"

Week 4:

Lecture/Discussion: Participation

Reading & Exercise 2:

Week 5:

Case Method 2: "Grassroots Projects in Rural China"

Week 6:

Lecture/Discussion: Aid for whom?

Reading & Exercise 3:

Week 7:

Case Method 3: "Managing A Health Project: HIV/AIDS project in Thailand"

Week 8:

Lecture/Discussion: Technical Assistance?

Reading & Exercise 4:

1."Today's technological transformations - creating the network age", UNDP Human

Development Report 2001, UNDP, Oxford University Press, 2001.

Week 9:

Case Method 4: "Technical Assistance in Thailand?"

Week 10:

Lecture/Discussion: Community Development

Reading & Exercise 5:

Week 11:

Case Method 5: "What did I do wrong?"

Week 12:

Group Presentation/Paper Writing

Week 13:

Group Presentation/Paper Writing

Grading Criteria

Participation:

    1.Students are expected read the assigned materials and answer the questions provided prior to the class. Class discussion will

       be based on the knowledge of the reading materials as well as your interest and experiences in development field.

    2.Students are expected to read the case thoroughly in advance, to prepare to participate in discussion, as well as role playing

       for the given cases. Questions related to the case are provided in advance and students are expected to answer questions

       with own ideas and to share experiences, if any.

 Writing paper:

 Students shall choose one or two cases to write analysis paper. For each case, main questions are listed. Students are expected to

 analyze the case according to the questions and prepare to present own ideas on how to come up with solving problems.

 Group presentation:

 Students are expected to form small groups according to the cases of interest. Students shall present 1) the analysis of the case

 chosen by the group, 2) solutions to the problem of the case with reference to pros and cons; and 3) other options to solve the

 problems of the case.

Textbooks / Reading Materials

Selected reading materials from a variety of development study readers as well as different UN publications. One case from different

field will be assigned every other week along with appropriate materials

Contact

Please make the appointment in advance by E-mail.