Development, Planning, and Implementation: The Dialectic of Theory and Practice

Calendar

LEC #	TOPICS	KEY DATES
1	Introduction—The rationale for the course: Why is it important to understand the difference between conventional theories and actual outcomes?
2	Overview of conventional theories of development, planning, and implementation	Essay on professional “surprise” due the day after session #2
3	Implemenation puzzle: One modernity or multiple modernities?
4	Implemenation puzzle: Assessment of development and planning efforts: What has worked and what has not?
5	Implemenation puzzle: Bottom-up versus top-down development?	Mid-term is due the day after session #5
6	Implemenation puzzle: Comprehensive versus incremental planning
7	Implementation puzzle: Under what conditions do public sector institutions perform well?
8	Implementation puzzle:  Is politics a hindrance to, or essential for planning?
9	Implementation puzzle: How do development professionals define what is ethical practice?
10	Implementation puzzle: Rigidity versus flexibility
11	Implementation puzzle: Modes of evaluation: What is useful knowledge for practitioners?
12	Implementation puzzle: The social construction of learning institutions	The final paper is due the day after session #12
13	Implementation puzzle: Surety of purpose or humility of not knowing the answer?