Fall 2022
Proseminar: Critical Analysis of Global Development Systems
Joshua Ellsworth MS, Adjunct Lecturer, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Understanding the interrelated environmental, social, and economic dynamics within global development contexts and then identifying barriers to achieving positive change are formidable challenges. Practitioners and policymakers must be able to assess the limitations of their own perspectives, learn from those living and working directly with "wicked" problems, and evaluate information from a wide range of sources including randomized control trials (RCTs), field observations, and established and emerging participatory tools and methods. To catalyze positive impact at the project, program, or policy level, practitioners must grasp technical aspects of global development as well as the softer skills of leadership, listening, self-reflection, and how to balance competing demands from multiple stakeholders with differing levels of power. Global development practitioners need to develop both the mindset and the skill set to analyze complex sociopolitical contexts, work with diverse actors to identify specific problems and opportunities, create practicable solutions, and lead others to achieve objectives. Through lectures, in-class exercises, and team projects, this course focuses on developing, in an integrated manner, the analytic skills to assess qualitative and quantitative data, and the creative thinking and planning skills to identify and innovate solutions to tough challenges. It covers systems and problem analysis, theory of change mapping, participatory design, and tools for effective teamwork.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. Experience manipulating data and algebraic equations on spreadsheets is helpful.
Spring 2023
Proseminar: Critical Analysis of Global Development Systems
Joshua Ellsworth MS, Adjunct Lecturer, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Understanding the interrelated environmental, social, and economic dynamics within global development contexts and then identifying barriers to achieving positive change are formidable challenges. Practitioners and policymakers must be able to assess the limitations of their own perspectives, learn from those living and working directly with "wicked" problems, and evaluate information from a wide range of sources including randomized control trials (RCTs), field observations, and established and emerging participatory tools and methods. To catalyze positive impact at the project, program, or policy level, practitioners must grasp technical aspects of global development as well as the softer skills of leadership, listening, self-reflection, and how to balance competing demands from multiple stakeholders with differing levels of power. Global development practitioners need to develop both the mindset and the skill set to analyze complex sociopolitical contexts, work with diverse actors to identify specific problems and opportunities, create practicable solutions, and lead others to achieve objectives. Through lectures, in-class exercises, and team projects, this course focuses on developing, in an integrated manner, the analytic skills to assess qualitative and quantitative data, and the creative thinking and planning skills to identify and innovate solutions to tough challenges. It covers systems and problem analysis, theory of change mapping, participatory design, and tools for effective teamwork.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. Experience manipulating data and algebraic equations on spreadsheets is helpful.
Fall 2022
Foundations of Sustainable Development
Patrick Walsh PhD, Full Professor of International Development Studies, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin
The broad goal of this course is to introduce students to the foundations of sustainable development including food and nutritional security, social service delivery, energy policy, water resource management, urbanization, infrastructure, human rights, biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), sustainable business, ethics, governance, and education. Through a global classroom, lectures are attended virtually with academic, policy and practice partners of the Global Association from around the world. The course consists of weekly live global classroom broadcasts featuring international experts. The broadcasts are facilitated and recorded by Lehigh University and available for asynchronous viewing within 24 hours; however, live participation is encouraged. Topics presented in the global classroom broadcasts are discussed on during mandatory weekly online live web conference sessions.
Fall 2022
Making Change Happen: Sustainable Development in Theory and in Practice
Alex Puutio PhD, Senior Expert, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations
This course covers the theoretical foundations of development in the twenty-first century and introduces students to the practical reality of development work, from project development to delivery in the field. During the course, students acquire a deep theoretical understanding of development and its principles and prerequisites. From there, students learn how to create, deliver, and measure the results of development projects with a particular focus on areas such as agriculture, education and training, governance, human rights, information and communication technology, safety and security, and humanitarian aid. Students assess and analyze the results of past development initiatives against a robust theoretical framework as well as political and organizational objectives. Real-life projects implemented by organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank Group, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department for International Development (DFID) are used as case studies and entry points for discussion. This course is divided into the following four broad thematic areas that guide the discussions and analysis in class: theory of development and principles and prerequisites; project design and planning; operational delivery and coordination; and impact measurement and sustaining results. Students prepare a case study of a real-life development project implemented by a global development organization and the results of the study are published in support of the global community of practice.
January 2023
Racial Equity and Economic Development
LaChaun Banks MBA, Director for Equity and Inclusion, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School and Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative
This intensive January session course addresses the organizational, institutional, and public policy foundations of stratification and racial inequality in the United States, particularly racial equity as a key value, measure, and framework for preparing and implementing local economic development plans and policies. The course examines theory as well as the implementation of local policy initiatives for racial equity in US cities. Investigating a wide range of contemporary theory and practice in the field of urban economic development, students propose new recommendations and executive strategies for cities currently pursuing pro-growth agendas. The course focuses on the Harvard Bloomberg City Leadership Initiative's Guide to Equitable Economic Development as a framework for discussion and the adoption of a city for further examination and recommendations. From redevelopment to entrepreneurship approaches, the course provides students with a working knowledge of local government approaches to more equitable economic development strategies; a critical point of view on the merits and limitations of these strategies; and formal opportunities to present new views to public and political actors in the field.
Spring 2023
Global Development Practice Capstone
Judith Irene Rodriguez MA, Senior Research Associate, Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure, Harvard Graduate School of Design
This course is a capstone designed for students earning a Master of Liberal Arts, global development practice. The course approach is learner-centered, whereby students create a development plan for a client by applying skills and knowledge gained from their graduate school experience. This course builds upon the student's guided prework completed in DEVP E-598. The course deliverables include a detailed actionable and measurable plan, as well as a presentation to be given to the class and to client stakeholders. Appropriate clients may include communities, corporations, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), governmental agencies, schools, universities, and hospitals. Students work with a client with one or more stakeholders to develop and deliver a customized development plan focused on one or more of these areas: community development, human rights, labor practices, education, environmental sustainability, and fair operating practices. Listings of prior projects may be viewed at the Global Development Practice Capstone website.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, global development practice. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, DEVP E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.