Monitoring and Evaluation in Development

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

Students enrolled in this subject must be enrolled in a Masters by coursework degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The indispensability of monitoring and evaluation (M & E) in the management of projects and program has been recognised within the development sector. Effective monitoring and evaluation acts as an anchor to keep the project moving in the right direction towards the goals and targets set at the planning stage. Historically, M & E was seen exclusively as a tool to make development organizations accountable to donors and conducted by foreign consultants who were largely unfamiliar with project sites where development interventions took place. This has hampered development agencies' efforts to obtain the right kind of information for effective M & E. Within new M & E paradigms that have emerged since the 1990's, M & E is intended to serve the purposes of not only accountability but also empowerment and capacity building of local communities. This subject aims to offer comparative insights into different approaches to M & E in development as well as to impart practical skills to students so that they may develop the technical proficiency in project/program M & E. The emphasis will be on development projects and programs rather than policies or public sector management. Practical exercises will be an essential part of the subject.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to:

• understand key terms and approaches in Monitoring and Evaluation in Development.
• be able to design and implement an effective M&E plan and/or M&E system for development organisations.
• be able to think critically and independently about issues relating to M&E in developmet.
• be able to make written and oral presentations.
• be aware of and sensitive to cross-cultural diversity.

A 1000 word group project (10%) due during semester, a 2000 word M & E plan (45%) due during the semester, and a 2000 word essay (45%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be provided at the start of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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