International Development

Course Code: BUS 5012

The students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of approaches to economic and political development and the interconnections development and humanitarian relief. They will learn to consider the richness and complexity of development and of its connections with relief by the use of a broad perspective that includes market, government, social and environmental processes. They will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills as they work. They will learn to evaluate different models of development by considering case studies throughout the semester and from their papers on an individual country. Communication skills will be enhanced via oral presentations of case studies. The knowledge about policies aimed at economic and political development in an international organizations? setting will be enhanced through the course work. Students will also develop an initial understanding of a format and structure of international organizations? project documents aimed at economic and political development.

Course Code: BUS 5013

This course will provide students with a theoretical framework for understanding management, leadership and non-profit organizations, as well as in-class opportunities to apply and practice this knowledge to international cases and culturally-diverse settings. Students will be required to both practice and evaluate the development of these skills in class. The course will also examine strategic and operational planning, legal issues, accountability, ethics and current issues facing the international non-profit sector.

Course Code: BUS 5014

Students will develop the skills and understanding necessary to assess community needs, conceptualize programs and projects, and appreciate the importance of stakeholder participation and commitment. The course begins with an overview of the project cycle and an introduction to needs assessments and feasibility studies, including definition of problems, needs, goals, objectives, outcomes, impact, risks and performance indicators. Students will learn to develop logical frameworks, performance indicators, basic project plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.

Course Code: BUS 5015

This course is divided into two separate components. One component introduces students with the instructions and resources to develop skills in MS Excel 2010 and MS PowerPoint 2010. The students will learn how to analyze data, to use the results, and to make executive decisions based on the data. While creating sophisticated spreadsheets in Excel, students will also use PowerPoint to create and enhance presentations to support effective and efficient business communication. The second component introduces students to the application program Raiser?s Edge, which is to assist students in learning fundraising software.

Course Code: BUS 5016

Students will develop their communication skills related to influencing public policy processes, advocacy and public engagement strategies, as well as organizational promotion. To effectively and systematically implement these strategies, students will also learn how to network and develop a communications plan, prepare internal and external communication tools and reports.

Course Code: GEOG 5000

This course presents an overview of world geography and the cultural dynamics that influence selected global development issues and practices. Via a mix of periodicals, multi-media, theory, cultural narratives, practitioner speakers, and the use of key development sources and tools, course materials will stimulate student research, reflection, analysis, and dialogue. Results in cross-cultural effectiveness will be achieved via key insights into student?s self-defined cultures, as well as the exploration of methods to prepare for and mitigate challenges when working overseas.

Course Code: BUS 5501

Students will develop an understanding of current development issues and trends which will allow them to analyze the social, cultural, political, environmental and economic context in which a project is being implemented in order to make necessary adjustments and modifications. Discussion will include issues related to gender, the environment, indigenous peoples, human rights, good governance and institutional capacity building.

Course Code: BUS 5504

In May 1997, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) published the document CIDA?s Policy on meeting basic human needs in which the following sectors were identified as key areas of intervention: Primary Health Care; Family Planning and Reproductive Health; Basic Education; Food and Nutrition; Water and Sanitation, Shelter and Humanitarian Assistance. This course will provide an overview of these sectors along with the economic sector of income generation, micro-finance and credit. We shall study each sector in relation to why it is important for development, how it is seen by the various international financial institutions (IFIs), and what the major issues are in delivering projects within these sectors and projects composed of more than one sectoral component.

Course Code: BUS 5506

Students will undertake a major individual assignment, which will include the preparation of a proposal for a real, or a hypothetical development project. The proposal will include a draft budget. Students will learn to critique proposals.

Course Code: BUS 5528

This course introduces students to scenarios in which civilians may be involved in the provision of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief. Topics will include food aid, emergency shelter, emergency health care, refugee support, reconstruction, peacekeeping, election monitoring, observation, and monitoring missions.

Course Code: FIN 5502

This course provides the basic bookkeeping and accounting skills necessary to establish and maintain project accounts, financial records and budget control. It also includes preparation of annual and project budgets, tendering and procurement practices, and financial reporting.

Course Code: MGMT 5503

This course provides students with an overview of the range of issues to be considered when implementing a development project utilizing local staff in one or more local offices. Key course topics include: setting-up a country office and related agreements and emergency preparedness; vehicles and fleet maintenance, key procurement issues; financial accountability; and transportation, warehousing and distribution systems for procured goods.

Course Code: BUS 5025

Students will develop a practical understanding of the use of learning tools to manage their own learning activities in the international development sector. Strategies include the identification of knowledge and skill gaps through reflective practice and the development of a learning proposal. In an effort to bridge some of their knowledge and skill gaps, students will have the opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of a special topic of their choice related to development. Students will identify an issue or sector in a region of the world and apply a specific tool or methodology to deepen their understanding of the issue. Through homework readings and in-class group work, students will also review the notion of learning at an organizational level in the development field. Discussion within the context of organizational learning will include knowledge management, change management, training of trainers, conducting evaluations and terms of reference in international development organizations.

Course Code: BUS 5026

This course is about how Canadians understand and do international development. We examine this issue along a number of dimensions. First, Canadian society is not one-dimensional. Different interest groups within our society argue about what development means (and what it aims to achieve), how we should engage in development, and whether we are successful at it. In this course we explore three broad dimensions:
- government (public) international development policy
- private sector (corporate) development interventions and the intersections with government trade policy
- civil society, non-government organizations (NGO) conceptions of development, and critiques of official and business policy.
Second, development initiatives are experienced differently by developers (Canadians) and those who are developed (people in the developing world). We examine how development is experienced and understood by:
- the developed world: those with the power, money, and skills to do development - The marginalized: those who are typically the objects of development.
Third, developing societies have never been homogenous. As in developed societies, people in developing societies often disagree about what desirable development is, and whether development activities work. I'd like you to read and develop an understanding of how and why different sectors in the developing world respond differently to development initiatives:
- how do business and political elites respond?
- how do the poor and marginalized respond?
We begin the course by looking inwards - by understanding your conscious and unconscious attitudes to the developing world and development, and then gradually widen our focus by looking first at Canada and then at the wider world. This course is both practical and political. We'll learn something about how development organizations in these various sectors operate from day-to-day, and we'll also ask bigger political questions, like:
- how will international development work change in a world where the benevolent public sector drive of development gives way to an increasingly trade-driven agenda?
- how will internal development work change in a political environment increasingly dominated by business interests, and by questions of economic efficiency rather than questions of value?

Course Code: BUS 5027

This course will prepare students to be able to understand, manage and participate in the performance management of a development program or agency. Students will be required to apply and practice this learning and knowledge through the use of case studies and in-class exercises.

Course Code: WORK 5017

This course will assist students in planning for their internship and career in international development. Students will explore career options and research employers and fields of interest. Students will learn the traditional and non-traditional strategies for conducting a job search including identifying personal strengths and weaknesses, creating effective resumes and cover letters, developing interviewing skills and evaluating and negotiating offers.

Course Code: WORK 5018

Students will complete a practical placement with an organization involved in the management of development programs or projects. Students will have the opportunity to observe and to participate in a variety of development initiatives, project management activities, and/or development research. This opportunity allows students to apply their academic knowledge and classroom experiences in a practical setting. Students may undertake the project /practicum in Canada or in another country.