• The Open University

Understanding Development Contexts

Examine the development context within which development managers work and explore how organisations might shape the agenda.

A rural bridge in Thailand, mid-construction over water with bamboo dock in foreground

  • Duration

    11 weeks

  • Weekly study

    15 hours
Overview
Requirements
Educators

Gain practical skills and enhance your knowledge of the development landscape

On this course, you will explore the complex development landscape and discuss the relationships between the institutions and organisations in the development sector. You’ll look at how the state shapes policies, responds to global governance initiatives, and how public and private organisations work together to shape the agenda and enact policy.

You’ll investigate the crucial role of civil society organisations to advocate social change in complex contexts, using current case studies and contemporary examples.

What topics will you cover?

  • The development institutional and organisational landscape
  • The relationship between different development institutions and organisations
  • Different types of inter-agency co-ordination
  • Frameworks to manage different inter-organisational relationships in complex humanitarian contexts
  • Study skills

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This course is for everyone interested in understanding the development context and the relationship between different development actors.

What software or tools do you need?

A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Any modern browser will be suitable for most computer activities.

Any additional software will be provided, or is generally freely available. However, some activities may have more specific requirements. For this reason, you will need to be able to install and run additional software on a device that meets the requirements below.

A desktop or laptop computer with either:

  • Windows 7 or higher
  • Mac OS 10.7 or higher

The screen of the device must have a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically.

To participate in our online discussion area you will need both a microphone and speakers/headphones.

Who will you learn with?

Martha Knight

My academic interests are centred around gender and development, the Sustainable Development Goals and global governance processes all of which I've taught or practised. I'm module Chair of D890.

Marianna Volpi

Hi, I'm Marianna and I've worked in the NGO, government and academic sectors, on poverty and inequality, conflict and government policy. I'm passionate about development and helping others achieve.

Rachel Wrangham

Rachel is a social anthropologist by training and inclination, who has worked for the OU for 17 years. She's carried out research in India, Indonesia and Mozambique.

Elizabeth Mc Donnell

Me - Author of OU courses on development, English language coach, researcher and content writer. I love to travel. learning to speak Spanish, and I am passionate about dancing Argentine Tango!

Jackie Rockliffe-King (OU Facilitator)

I have 25 years experience as an OU Associate Lecturer working on several Development Management modules. My main academic interests are the politics of development, micro finance and evaluation.

Who developed the course?

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969

  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK

  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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