Time Schedule:
Ann E. Downer
G H 521
Seattle Campus
Focuses on management and leadership skills for complex global health settings. Includes personal leadership strengths/values; management dilemmas, data-driven decisions; program planning design and evaluation; and resource management. Offered: Sp.
Class description
The challenges of working in global health and development are significant and complex. This course provides an opportunity to reflect on the practical and ethical decisions involved in it and to think about the types of internal and external resources needed in order to be most productive and successful. The instructors want students to be familiar with the technical skills that major donors expect in a program manager, planner or evaluator and to practice the more difficult skills of decision-making and critical analysis, including increased comfort with ambiguity.
Student learning goals
Contrast global health activities and approaches from the present with development successes and failures in the past.
Approach global health program planning and management with conceptual models and frameworks as a guide.
Make decisions that weigh practical needs and conditions with ethical considerations and attempt to avoid mistakes from the past.
Translate insights from self-assessment into a personal plan for improving leadership and management skills.
Consolidate and summarize information into management tools such as a logical framework, SWOT analysis, and monitoring and evaluation plan.
Design and management systems that promote compliance with donor requirements and assure financial and ethical accountability.
General method of instruction
The course poses practical dilemmas through case studies on sensitive management challenges and provides an opportunity to acquire skills and improve judgment. Ten classroom and web-based sessions are conducted during the quarter. Each of the classroom sessions is taught using lecture, small and large group discussion, and participatory exercises. The web-based sessions include background reading, assignments, web discussion, and an optional video download. Additional learning methods include reading, web searching, critical analysis assignments, development of a logical framework and evaluation plan, and a self-assessment exercise.
Recommended preparation
There are no prerequisites for this class, but priority enrollment will be given to students in the Department of Global Health
Class assignments and grading
Assignments will used practical applications of learned management, evaluation, and leadership skills to case based situations. These include creating a logical framework, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and completing a case study analysis. In addition participants will be asked to self-assess their leaderships skills and read and summarize two relevant books of their choice.
In addition to completing the assignments listed above, students are expected to attend all classroom sessions, participate in web-based assignments, read assigned material before class, and submit assignments on time.
