Sonoma State University

Michael F. Urmann

The Practice of International Development

Syllabus (tentative)

Spring 1997

Our overall objective in this course is to gain a thorough understanding of the practice of international development: its organizations and the work they do. During the semester we will see how vastly different are the structures, styles, and activities of the different types of organizations - from the large governmental agencies to medium and small non governmental organizations. And you will become familiar with the activities that comprises the major "themes" of development work: appropriate technology, sustainable agriculture, alternative energy, role of women, micro-enterprise.

To learn about the organizations, you will make personal contact with one development organization of your choice to acquire information about what they do and how they do it. Your findings will be the basis of a research page paper and will be shared with your classmates through a class presentation. For the second component, work, we will make a series of field study visits to sites in and around Sonoma County such as the Willets Garden, or a small hydro electric site to see first-hand the actual work involved in some of these development "themes". The information background needed to critically evaluate the organizations and work "themes" will come through assigned readings, lecture, and class discussion.

Through your efforts this semester you will also become acquainted with Third World development as an occupation - the major types of jobs involved, the skills and training required, and you will know who the major employers are. Additionally, you will learn about and be able to use the various Internet sources for development work related information: data and statistics, organizations, and project activity.

The Field Directors' Handbook: an Oxfam Manual for Development Workers, Published for Oxfam by Oxford University Press. (This manual deals with, in a very practical and applied way, most of the topics to be examined this semester, including project selection, management, and evaluation, as well as projects incorporating the development work "themes" discussed below.

A reader of article reprints to accompany each of the first three sections of the course described below:

The semester will be divided into an introduction and three main sections.

1. Introduction: (1 week) The historical context of development assistance

2. The Organizations: (4 weeks)

We will spend one week examining each of the major types of development organizations: large governmental organizations such as the United States Agency for international Development (USAID) and United Nations agencies, large NGOs (non-governmental organizations ) such as CARE and Catholic Relief Services, medium and small NGO's like Save the Children, Oxfam, Appropriate Technology International, and local, community based NGO's.

What are the different philosophies of these organizations, and their differences in development strategies, types of projects, methods of project management, organizational structures, and sources of funding? Through assigned readings and class discussions, we will seek answers to these questions and make a critical examination of the influence and role of each type of organization in the development process.

3. Development Work: its Major "Themes": (6 weeks)

Most work carried out by these organizations can be classified into one or more of the development "themes" which, over the past decade, have emerged as the dominate practices in the development community: We will spend one week examining each of these:

Sustainable Agriculture Grass-roots Development Alternative Energy

Appropriate Technology Micro enterprise and loans

Role of Women Market Solutions and Institutions

Through readings and field trips, you will become acquainted with what these "themes" involve in terms of actual work and the types of projects they encompass. We will look at theory and evidence supporting, and in some cases criticizing, these major themes.

Classroom study will be followed by all day field visits to agencies and projects in and around Sonoma county that embody the principals and activities of a development "theme". For example, to provide a background in sustainable development and appropriate/alternative technologies, a field trip will be arranged to the Willets Garden Project - known in the development community for its success in developing techniques that permit small plots of land to fully support and supply a family's nutrition needs. Other examples might include visits to a company manufacturing and selling components for using solar power, a "micro" hydroelectric project, a small business development agency, a women's community organizing group in Marin City, etc.

4. Student Presentations: The Detail of Organizations and Development Work: (4 weeks)

Each student will select one international development agency and prepare a 5-10 page paper and make a 30-40 minute presentation examining its purpose, structure, the type of work it does, how it carries out this work, its work with and use of local NGO's, and extensive details of one or two specific projects. This assignment permits each student to become quit familiar with one organization, and by sharing this expertise with their classmates, the whole class gains considerable insight into the variety of organizations, projects, and development practices.

Acquiring this information will require you to correspond with the organization you select and seek out an individual involved in project implementation or management to request the organization's annual reports, funding proposals, and project documents. Additional information about this assignment will be handed out separately.

Class Grade: Participation in Class Discussions: 25%

Presentation/Paper: 25%

Midterm Exam: (take-home) 25%

Final Exam: (take-home) 25%

Afshar, Haleh. "Women, Development, and Survival in the Third World.", vii, 325 ill. ; 23 cm . London. New York: Longman, 1991.

Alliband, Terry. "Catalysts of Development : Voluntary Agencies in India.", xiii, 114 p 23 cm . Library of Management for Development. West Hartford, Conn: Kumarian Press, 1983.

Annis, Sheldon, and Peter Hakim. "Direct to the Poor : Grassroots Development in Latin America.", vi, 226 p 24 cm . Boulder: L. Rienner, 1988.

Bebbington, Anthony, and Graham Thiele. "Non-Governmental Organizations and the State in Latin America : Rethinking Roles in Sustainable Agricultural Development.", xxviii, 290 p ill., map ; 24 cm . Non-Governmental Organizations Series. London. New York: Routledge, 1993.

Beneria, Lourdes, and Shelley Feldman. "Unequal Burden : Economic Crises, Persistent Poverty, and Women's Work.", ix, 278 p maps ; 24 cm . Boulder: Westview Press, 1992.

Berg, Robert J. "Non-Governmental Organizations : New Force in Third World Development and Politics."Michigan State University. Center for Advanced Study of International Development, v, 55 p 23 cm . CASID Distinguished Speaker Series ; No. 2. East Lansing, Mich: Center for Advanced Study of International Development, Michigan State University, 1987.

Berlage, L, and Olav Stokke. "Evaluating Development Assistance : Approaches and Methods."European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes, xii, 214 p 23 cm . EADI-Book Series ; 14. London. Portland, Or: F. Cass, 1992.

Brodhead, Tim, Brent Herbert-Copley, and Anne-Marie Lambert. "Bridges of Hope? : Canadian Voluntary Agencies and the Third World."North-South Institute, xiv, 173 p ill. ; 23 cm . Ottawa: North-South Institute, 1988.

Cassen, Robert. "Does Aid Work? : Report to an Intergovernmental Task Force.", xvi, 317 p 24cm . The Library of Political Economy. Oxford. New York: Clarendon Press. Oxford University Press, 1994.

Charlton, Sue Ellen M. "Women in Third World Development.", xiv, 240 p ill. ; 24 cm . Boulder, Colo: Westview Press, 1984.

Clark, John. "Democratizing Development : the Role of Voluntary Organizations.", xii, 226 p 23 cm . Kumarian Press Library of Management for Development. West Hartford, Conn., USA: Kumarian Press, 1991.

Dawson, Jonathan, and Mog Ball. "Using Technical Skills in Community Development : an Analysis of VSO's Experience."Voluntary Service Overseas. ECOE Programme, viii, 55 p ill. ; 21 cm . London: VSO, ECOE Program. Intermediate Technology Publications, 1990.

Drabek, Anne Gordon. "Development Alternatives : the Challenge for NGOs.", 261 p 24 cm . World Development, Vol.15, Supplement. Oxford. New York: Pergamon Press, 1987.

Duffield, M. "Democratizing Development - the Role of Voluntary Organizations - Clark,j." Development And Change 24, no. 2 (1993): 368-70.

Farrington, John. "Non-Governmental Organizations and the State in Asia : Rethinking Roles in Sustainable Agricultural Development.", xxxii, 366 p ill., map ; 24 cm . Non-Governmental Organizations Series. London. New York: Routledge, 1993.

Fowler, Alan F. Alan Fredrick. "Non-Governmental Organisations in Africa : Achieving Comparative Advantage in Relief and Micro-Development.", 31 p ill. ; 21 cm . DP 249. Brighton, England: Institute of Development Studies, 1988.

Gorman, Robert F. "Private Voluntary Organizations As Agents of Development.", xii, 263 p ill. ; 23 cm . A Westview Replica Edition. Boulder, Colo: Westview Press, 1984.

Hazlewood, Peter T. "Expanding the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in National Forestry Programs : the Report of Three Regional Workshops in Africa, Asia, and Latin America."World Resources Institute, and Environment Liaison Centre, 44 p 23 cm . Washington, D.C. Nairobi, Kenya: World Resources Institute. Environment Liaison Centre, 1987.

Hirschman, Albert O. "Development Projects Observed."Brookings Institution, xviii, 197 p 23 cm . Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution, 1995.

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Hoque, B. A., K. Aziz, Z. Hasan, and M. K. Patwary. "Maintaining Village Water Pumps by Women Volunteers in Bangladesh." Health Policy And Planning 6, no. 2 (1991): 176-80.

Hunt, Robert W. "Private Voluntary Organizations and the Promotion of Small-Scale Enterprise."United States. Agency for International Development, xii, 47, 5 p 28 cm . A.I.D. Evaluation Special Study ; No. 27. [Washington, D.C.?]: U.S. Agency for International Development, 1985.

Korten, David C. "Community Organization and Rural Development : a Learning Process Approach.", 32 p ill. ; 28 cm . New York: Ford Foundation, 1980.

---. "Getting to the 21st Century : Voluntary Action and the Global Agenda.", xv, 253 p ill. ; 23 cm . Kumarian Press Library of Management for Development. West Hartford, Conn: Kumarian Press, 1990.

Kumar, P., and K. K. Sharma. "Canadian Volunteer Nongovernmental Organizations Environmental Aid to the Third-World." Environmental Conservation 17, no. 3 (1990): 267-70.

Meehan, Eugene J, Charles Reilly, and Thomas Ramey. "In Partnership With People : an Alternative Development Strategy."Inter-American Foundation, viii, 178 p ill. ; 24 cm . [Rosslyn, Va.]: Inter-American Foundation, 1978.

Mernissi, Fatima. "Doing Daily Battle : Interviews With Moroccan Women.", 224 p 20 cm . London: Women's Press, 1988.

Munck, G. L. "Democratizing Development - the Role of Voluntary Organizations - Clark,j." Journal Of Development Studies 29, no. 1 (1992): 176-81.

Norwine, Jim, and Alfonso Gonzalez. "The Third World : States of Mind and Being.", xi, 275 p ill. ; 24 cm . Boston: Unwin Hyman, 1988.

Nossiter, Bernard D. "The Global Struggle for More : Third World Conflicts With Rich Nations.", xvi, 254 p 22 cm . New York: Harper & Row, 1987.

Paul, Samuel. "Managing Development Programs : the Lessons of Success.", xvi, 247 p 23 cm . Westview Special Studies in Social, Political, and Economic Development. Boulder, Colo: Westview Press, 1982.

---. "Strategic Management of Development Programmes : Guidelines for Action.", vii, 137 p ill. ; 24 cm . Management Development Series ; No. 19. Geneva: International Labour Office, 1983.

Paul, Samuel, and Arturo Israel. "Nongovernmental Organizations and the World Bank : Cooperation for Development.", x, 162 p ill. ; 24 cm . World Bank Regional and Sectoral Studies. Washington, D.C: World Bank, 1991.

Pradervand, Pierre. "Listening to Africa : Developing Africa From the Grassroots.", xxi, 229 p ill. ; 25 cm . New York: Praeger, 1989.

Pratt, Brian, and Jo Boyden. "The Field Directors' Handbook : an Oxfam Manual for Development Workers."Oxfam, 512 p ill. ; 25 cm . Oxford. New York: Published for Oxfam by Oxford University Press, 1985.

Rose, Kalima. "Where Women Are Leaders : the SEWA Movement in India.", 286 p ill. ; 23 cm . London. Atlantic Highlands, N.J: Zed Books Ltd, 1992.

Sen, Gita, and Caren Grown. "Development, Crises, and Alternative Visions : Third World Women's Perspectives."Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (Project), 116 p 21 cm . New Feminist Library. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1987.

Tinker, Irene. "Persistent Inequalities : Women and World Development.", xi, 302 p 24 cm . New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Tisch, Sarah J, and Michael B Wallace. "Dilemmas of Development Assistance : the What, Why, and Who of Foreign Aid.", xvi, 182 p ill., map ; 24 cm . Dilemmas in World Politics. Boulder: Westview Press, 1994.

Turner, Bertha. "Building Community : a Third World Case Book : a Summary of the Habitat International Coalition Non-Governmental Organization's [Sic] Project for the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, 1987, in Association With Habitat Forum Berlin."Habitat Forum Berlin, and Habitat International Coalition, 190 p ill. ; 21 x 21 cm . London: Building Community Books, 1988.

"UNDP's 1994 Report on Human Development in Bangladesh : Empowerment of Women."United Nations Development Programme, 53 p col. ill. ; 29 cm . Dhaka: UNDP, 1994.

Wellard, Kate, and James G. Copestake. "Non-Governmental Organizations and the State in Africa : Rethinking Roles in Sustainable Agricultural Development.", xxx, 331 p ill.; 23 cm . Non-Governmental Organizations Series. London. New York: Routledge, 1993.