IDM013-Participatory interventions in development

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: Familiarity with the role of research and extension in development would be useful
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Peter Dorward
Email: p.t.dorward@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Learn how participation and participatory approaches can support the processes of development. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of participation and learn how to maximise the benefits in development initiatives. Develop skills in the use of specific participatory methods and how to integrate them into practical work.

Aims:
The aims of the module are to: 1) explore changing understandings of innovation processes and decision-making in natural resource based livelihoods, with particular respect to participatory and bottom-up approaches; 2) consider what participatory approaches and methods are together with their strengths and limitations and; 3) consider the implications of 1 and 2 for the management and organisation of practical development and extension/research interventions.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Explain the reasons for the development and widespread use of participatory processes and methods
• Use a range of participatory methods
• Identify the advantages and limitations of greater use of participation in practical development work
• Explain approaches to analysing and understanding decision-making processes used by beneficiaries (e.g. poor people in rural communities) and fact ors influencing decision-making
• Identify the main factors that influence the success of participatory interventions
• Develop a plan for a participatory intervention or ô€€‘projectô€€’ which draws on the above learning outcomes.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

• What is participation and what is it trying to achieve* Decision-making processes of beneficiaries
• Reasons for the emergence of participatory approaches
• Participatory methods (practical activity)
• Advantages and disadvantages of participatory approaches
• Planning and ô€€‘managementô€€’ of participatory interventions: operationalising participation and implications for management

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A mixture of lectures, group work, analysis of case studies and videos are used in the taught sessions.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Coursework
One essay/project of around 2500 words (75% of marks) and one case study report of around 500 words with brief presentation (25% of marks)
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: