GEOG 5100-007 Evaluation of Development Projects –
Theory and Practice
Day/Time: Wednesdays 6-8:50 pm
Classroom: Gugg 201E
Instructors: Gary Gaile - Gary.Gaile@colorado.edu
Julie Van Domelen - Julie.VanDomelen@colorado.edu
Office Hours: Gary Gaile:
Wednesdays 4-6 pm
Gugg 103C
Tel: 2-4877
Julie Van Domelen
Tuesdays 11-1:00 pm
Gugg 8B
Course Description: The course will explore the concepts and controversies around evaluation and its role in development. Students will learn how to develop an evaluation framework for a development project, examine how to plan effective program evaluations and discuss the challenges faced when implementing various types of evaluations. Specific case studies will be drawn from impact evaluations, participatory evaluations, and programmatic evaluations. Challenging topics in evaluation, like how to assess performance of projects with objectives in empowerment, social capital, capacity building and policy advocacy will be studied. The course is meant to provide students with hands-on experience, with student-led projects critiquing several flagship evaluations of development programs and creating a monitoring and evaluation framework for a real development project. Methodologies and examples will be drawn from the broader universe of development actors, including NGOs, bilateral, multilateral and UN agencies.
Requirements:
1. Class participation (25%)
2. Assignment #1: Development of results chains for two
projects (20%)
3. Assignment #2: In-class presentation and written critique of
an evaluation (25%)
4. Assignment #3: Final team project – specification of a
monitoring and evaluation framework for a development project (30%)
Main Text Book (recommended):
Rossi, Lipsey, Freeman. 2004. Evaluation: A
Systematic Approach