Courses
MODULE I
(12 weeks – 18 credits)
Theories of Development: this course provides an overview of recent developments in the
literature on the politics and economics of development, as well as on poverty and inequality.
Research Methods I and II: this course provides up-to-date knowledge of contemporary
quantitative and qualitative research methods, along with the opportunity to combine and apply
these methods within ongoing development processes.
MODULE II: Evaluating Development Effectiveness
(9 weeks – 12 credits)
This module starts with an overview of the debate on development effectiveness. Students are
introduced to different theoretical frameworks for understanding the behaviour of actors and
for analysing outcomes. Part II of the module focuses on the scientific evaluation of development
effectiveness. It examines the tools employed in monitoring and evaluation, and it discusses
methods of evaluation. By the end of this module, students are able to apply some quantitative
and/or qualitative techniques to address the leading challenges in development evaluation.
MODULE III
Track 1: National Institutions, Poverty Reduction Strategies and Aid
(9 weeks – 12 credits)
The entry point of this module is the current debate on poverty reduction and the international aid
architecture. The module provides an in-depth treatment of the theory of development underlying
the new aid approach, the aid modalities and instruments that are promoted and, particularly, the
roles envisaged for the key actors (donors, governments, civil society). It assesses the current state
of the implementation of aid architecture while analysing the challenges for the future.
Track 2: Local Institutions and Poverty Reduction
(9 weeks – 12 credits)
This module analyses how the interactions of actor strategies and institutional structures generate
inequality and poverty, as well as well-being. It applies this analysis to specific policy domains:
value chain development, microfinance, land policies, gender, public services, the role of local
government, the management of natural resources, migration and the impact of trade.
MODULE IV: Dissertation
(15 weeks – 18 credits)
Dissertation projects are to be developed based on one of the assignments written at the end of
either Module II or Module III.
18 · master programmes