Development Theory and Administration
- Management Sciences
- 800 level
- 3 credit units
- 150 pages
- 24 units
This course introduces students to development theory and administration, exploring the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications within societal governance. It examines the meaning of development, related concepts like growth and modernization, and the salient economic, political, administrative, and socio-cultural factors influencing development agendas. The course also covers development planning, public enterprises, and privatization, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of development processes.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PAD807, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PAD807 · UNIT 1: Development; Meaning and Concepts
Development is often used in an exclusive economic sense; the justification being that the economy has a pervasive influence in all societies and also, the economy is itself an indicator of other socio-political features of a society. But development is a multi- dimensional concept, thus it could be economic, political, social, cultural or even human.
What you should be able to do
- Define development administration and its key concepts.
- Analyze the economic, political, and socio-cultural environments of development administration.
- Evaluate the role of planning in development processes.
- Assess the impact of public enterprises and privatization on development.
- Apply development theories to real-world scenarios.
- Critically analyze development policies and their outcomes.
What it prepares you for
- Development Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Public Administrator
- Project Manager
- International Development Consultant
- Government
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- International Development Agencies
- Consulting Firms
- Public Sector Management
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Environment of Development Administration
Unit 1 Economic Environment of Development Administration
Requires understanding of complex interactions between economic policies and development outcomes, including fiscal and monetary policies.
- Module 4: Development Planning
Unit 3: The Planning Process in Nigeria
Involves analyzing intricate planning processes and institutional frameworks, including the roles of various government agencies and their coordination.
- Module 5: Public Enterprise and the Privatisation Debate
Unit 2 Privatization of Public Enterprises: Economic Benefits and Managerial Efficiency Issues
Demands critical evaluation of economic theories and their practical implications, including the assessment of market forces and competition.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 66 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Development; Meaning and Concepts
Unit 1: The Meaning of Development · 3 hours
Define development administration and differentiate it from public administration.. Discuss the indices of development and their limitations.. Analyze the relationship between poverty and development challenges..
Unit 2: Features of Development · 3 hours
Identify and explain specific indices used to measure development.. Discuss the role of technology in development.. Examine the economic, political, and socio-cultural dimensions of development..
- Week 2Module 1: Development; Meaning and Concepts
Unit 3: Origin of the concept of development · 3 hours
Explain the historical origins of development administration.. Discuss the influence of the socialist revolution and the Great Depression on development planning.. Analyze the role of the state in economic development..
Unit 4: Development Concepts and Related Theories · 3 hours
Discuss the concepts of economic development and underdevelopment.. Compare and contrast modernization theory and dependency theory.. Analyze the role of colonialism and neo-colonialism in underdevelopment..
- Week 3Module 1: Development; Meaning and Concepts
Unit 5: Development in perspective · 3 hours
Examine the importance and characteristics of development.. Discuss developmental values and instruments.. Analyze the World System Theory and the Theory of Globalization..
- Week 4Module 2: Related Concepts in Development Administration …
Unit 1: International perspective of development · 3 hours
Explain the concept of development from an international perspective.. Describe the characteristics of development.. Differentiate between growth and development..
Unit 2: Growth and Development · 3 hours
Define economic growth and its indicators.. Discuss the relationship between economic growth and economic development.. Analyze the limitations of GDP as a measure of development..
- Week 5Module 2: Related Concepts in Development Administration …
Unit 3: Political Economy of Development Administration · 3 hours
Explain the concept of underdevelopment and its causes.. Discuss the roles of imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism in underdevelopment.. Analyze the concept of dependency and its impact on development..
Unit 4: What is Modernization · 3 hours
Define modernization and its relevance to growth and development.. Discuss the key features of modern societies.. Analyze the assumptions and criticisms of modernization theory..
- Week 6Module 2: Related Concepts in Development Administration …
Unit 5: Relevance of Modernization to Growth and Development · 3 hours
Assess the relevance of modernization to growth and development.. Discuss the role of technology and education in modernization.. Analyze the impact of modernization on traditional values and social structures..
- Week 7Module 3: Environment of Development Administration
Unit 1 Economic Environment of Development Administration · 3 hours
Examine the economic environment of development administration.. Discuss the key economic features of underdeveloped economies.. Analyze the role of economic policies in promoting development..
Unit 2 Political Environment of Development Administration · 3 hours
Analyze the political environment of development administration.. Discuss the political features of underdeveloped countries.. Examine the impact of political instability and corruption on development..
- Week 8Module 3: Environment of Development Administration
Unit 3 Socio-Cultural Environment of Development Administration · 3 hours
Discuss the socio-cultural environment of development administration.. Examine the impact of superstition, tribalism, and cultural values on development.. Analyze the role of education and social change in promoting development..
Unit 4 Administrative Environment of Development Administration · 3 hours
Examine the administrative environment of development administration.. Discuss the administrative features of underdeveloped countries.. Analyze the impact of bureaucracy, corruption, and lack of skilled manpower on development..
- Week 9Module 3: Environment of Development Administration
Unit 5 Administrative Reforms in Nigeria · 3 hours
Discuss the history and evolution of administrative reforms in Nigeria.. Examine the recommendations of various civil service reform commissions.. Analyze the impact of administrative reforms on development administration..
- Week 10Module 4: Development Planning
Unit 1: Relevance of Planning · 3 hours
Explain the relevance of planning in development administration.. Discuss the historical examples of planned economic development.. Analyze the role of the state in economic planning..
Unit 2: The Planning Process in India · 3 hours
Describe the planning process in India.. Analyze the role of the state and various institutions in the planning process.. Discuss the challenges and successes of development planning in India..
- Week 11Module 4: Development Planning
Unit 3: The Planning Process in Nigeria · 3 hours
Describe the planning process in Nigeria.. Analyze the roles of various institutions in the planning process.. Discuss the challenges and successes of development planning in Nigeria..
Unit 4: The Planning Machinery in Nigeria · 3 hours
Examine the planning machinery in Nigeria.. Discuss the functions of the National Planning Office, Joint Planning Board, and National Economic Council.. Analyze the challenges to sustainable development in Nigeria..
- Week 12Module 4: Development Planning
Unit 5: Ten-Year Plan Development and Welfare for Nigeria, 1946 56 · 3 hours
Discuss the Ten-Year Plan Development and Welfare for Nigeria, 1946-56.. Analyze the objectives, strategies, and criticisms of the plan.. Examine the historical context and legacy of the plan..
- Week 13Module 5: Public Enterprise and the Privatisation Debate
Unit 1 Public Enterprise and Their Roles in Development Administration · 3 hours
Discuss the roles of public enterprises in development administration.. Examine the reasons for establishing public enterprises in developing countries.. Analyze the problems faced by public enterprises..
Unit 2 Privatization of Public Enterprises: Economic Benefits and Managerial Efficiency Issues · 3 hours
Explain the concept of privatization and its various forms.. Discuss the economic benefits and managerial efficiency issues related to privatization.. Analyze the arguments for and against privatization..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all module introductions and summaries to consolidate key concepts.
- Create comparative tables outlining the strengths and weaknesses of different development theories (Modernization vs. Dependency).
- Focus on understanding the planning processes in both India and Nigeria, noting similarities and differences.
- Practice essay questions on the economic, political, and socio-cultural environments of development administration.
- Prepare case studies analyzing the impact of privatization on specific public enterprises.
- Allocate study time proportionally based on the study hours recommended for each unit.
- Create concept maps linking key terms and theories from different modules.
- Review all self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked assignments.
- Practice applying theoretical concepts to real-world development challenges.
- Focus on understanding the historical context and evolution of development administration.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PAD807 about?
This course introduces students to development theory and administration, exploring the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications within societal governance. It examines the meaning of development, related concepts like growth and modernization, and the salient economic, political, administrative, and socio-cultural factors influencing development agendas. The course also covers development planning, public enterprises, and privatization, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of development processes.
How many units does PAD807 have?
PAD807, Development Theory and Administration, has 24 units across 5 modules, over 150 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PAD807?
PAD807 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Management Sciences.
Is PAD807 hard?
PAD807 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does PAD807 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is PAD807 assessed?
PAD807 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PAD807?
Development Officer, Policy Analyst, Public Administrator, Project Manager and International Development Consultant.