ORIENTATION TO MASTER’S IN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
The mandatory course provides an immersion orientati
on in an
indigenous community for first year MDP students prior to first year course
work. Students interact with community members who provide mini
-
lectures
and demonstrations of problems, concerns, and issues of relevance to the
indigenous community. Gue
st lectures provide additional material introducing
issues in indigenous development practice locally and globally. The course
will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
PREREQUISITES: Admission to MDP. |
Health and Sustainable Development
Yes
Graduate |
This cour
se provides non
-
health experts with basic population health
concepts within an Indigenous context. The course explores social, cultural,
economic and political forces shaping health ideology for Indigenous
populations. Health topics that are addressed spec
ifically include maternal
and child health including birthing practices, chronic disease such as Type II
Diabetes, and infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, and food security.
Students explore strategies that Indigenous communities have employed to
mov
e towards self
-
determination in health care, in the collection of health
data, policy changes, and the development of programs that meet the unique
health needs of Indigenous communities in Canada and internationally.
.
PREREQUISITES: Admission to MDP or i
nstructor’s permission |
Indigenous Economic Development
Yes
Graduate |
This course considers different pathways to economic development for
indigenous peoples. In many countries around the world, indigenous groups
are excluded from the benefits of modern
market
-
based economies. This
course considers how public policy might foster economic development
among indigenous groups, either through more complete integration into
market economies, as workers and entrepreneurs, or through alternative
models that emp
hasize economic self
-
determination and self
-
governance
through community economic development. Students will be introduced to
microeconomic theory as a means of understanding the strengths and
limitations of market economies. A number of case studies will
be used to
illustrate best practices for development. |
GLOBAL CLASSROOM: INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO
S
USTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
This course provides students wit
h the basic core competencies and
practical skills required of a “generalist” or “integrative” development
practitioner and serves as the foundation course for the Master’s in
Development Practice curriculum. The course is offered concurrently at
several
universities around the world, and each week students have the
opportunity to learn from expert practitioners and engage in discussion with
each other. Course topics are grounded in a practical, multi
-
disciplinary
approach that focuses on the inter
-
relatio
nship of each of the following core
fields of study: Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and
Management. |
INDIGENOUS THOUGHT AND WORLDVIEWS: SUSTAINABLE
UNDERSTANDINGS
Yes
Graduate |
This course brings the st
udent into ceremonies, discussions, research, and
conceptualizations exercises which enable them to begin understanding
indigenous
thought and worldviews, particularly of the Anishinaabe and the
Dakota. The course provides tools and opportunities for stude
nts to free
themselves from ethnocentric thinking while being educated in the nodal
thinking of the Anishinaabe people. The course is experiential and follows the
teachings of the annual round of seasonal activities. The course helps the
student gain insig
hts into the core concepts of sustainable development,
global sustainability, earth stewardship, and self
-
determination through
indigenous perspectives. |
CANADIAN FIELD PLACE
MENT IN DEVELOPMENT
PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
The field placement allows students to ground their academic learning within
the auspices of an organization or community. The field placement involves
voluntary work and provides hands
-
on experience in the area of Indigen
ous
development. Students, in consultation with the MDP Director, select a
Canadian field placement site and complete the equivalent of ten to twelve
weeks of work, usually during the summer months. Students produce a field
placement portfolio, including a
report and public presentation. Required
components include the Field Placement Student Preparation Sessions and
the De
-
Brief sessions organized by the MDP.. |
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, GLOBALIZATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
Yes
Graduate |
I
ndigenous peoples today are enmeshed in the expanding modern economy,
subject to the pressures of both market and government. More and more
Indigenous communities are rejecting the traditional capitalist vision of
development as human and environmental exp
loitation and focusing on new
types of local development projects. This course analyzes some of the
conflicts associated with traditional development projects in Indigenous
communities. Taking Indigenous peoples as actors as its starting point, the
class e
xamines innovations in Indigenous economic development that are
culturally respectful, environmentally responsible and that build a new sense
of community. |
INDIGENOUS
SELF
-
DETERMINATION AND SELF
-
GOVERNMENT
Yes
Graduate |
This course explores, from a variety of perspectives, the nature of Indigenous
governance from pre
-
contact with Europeans to the present day. The major
trends and shifts in governance and the impact of assimilatio
n policy are
discussed. A significant component of the course involves a recognition and
examination of Aboriginal communities’ attempts in Canada to exercise self
-
determination by developing systems of governance outside the colonial
imposed structures of
the Indian Act or domestic municipal regimes. |
INDIGENOUS RESEARCH METHODS
Yes
Graduate |
This course provides a review of the movement towards the decolonization of
the Western
model of research and the revitalization of indigenous research
frameworks and methodologies. The course also offers analysis of Western
research methods and both their histories in colonial practices as well as
their potential usefulness in indigenous com
munity
-
based development
research and applications. The unique issues and principles involving ethical
research in Indigenous communities are explored. The course also includes
an overview of indigenous control of their own research and ethical review
proc
esses related to development issues, programs, and implementation |
INDIGENOUS APPROACHES TO EVALUATION: THEORY
AND PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
In this experiential learning course, studen
ts are introduced to the purpose
and practice of Indigenous evaluation, as well as some of the analytical tools
used by evaluators, both Indigenous and mainstream. An Indigenous
approach to evaluation is a strengths
-
based exercise. It is committed to
respe
cting the community’s values and traditional ways of knowing.
Students will be given practical experiences in preparing data collection
instruments, gathering data from program participants and other
stakeholders, and interpreting the data. The course wil
l also explore how an
Indigenous approach to evaluation can be merged with the objectives of
mainstream funders and other external stakeholders. |
MANAGING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Yes
Graduate |
This course considers geographic and environmental approaches for
sustainable resource management, focusing on resource
-
based and
Indigenous communities. Discussion begins by outlining how resource
decisions are made within a context o
f change, complexity, uncertainty and
conflict. Key elements of effective governance, including Indigenous
knowledge and public participation are considered. Finally, current planning
and policy tools, including corporate social responsibility policies,
community
-
based resource management, and a
daptive management are reviewed
|
SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
This course
enables students to interact with key leaders (schol
ars and
practitioners) in
the field of development practice. The emphasis is on enabling the entire
MDP cohort of students to meet, as the opportunity presents itself, with
leaders in development, and in particular, indigenous development. The goal
is to e
xpose students, in an integrated learning environment, to conceptual
and practical issues and innovative development practices as presented by a
variety of speakers who present to and lead discussions with MDP students. |
iNTERNATIONAL FIELD PLACEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT
PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
The field placement allows students to ground their academic learning within
the auspices of an organization or community. The field placement involves
volunta
ry work and provides hands
-
on experience in the area of Indigenous
development. Students, in consultation with the MDP Director, select an
International field placement site and complete the equivalent of ten to twelve
weeks of work, usually during the sum
mer months. Students produce a field
placement portfolio, including a report and public presentation. Required
components include the Field Placement Student Preparation Sessions and
the De
-
Brief sessions organized by the MDP |
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Yes
Graduate |
This course examines theories and methods of strategic planning and project
management in community development, with a particular focus on
Indigenous peoples and Indigenous planning methods. The
course highlights
methods that are participatory, community
-
based and relevant for and
applicable to domestic and international Indigenous communities. The course
examines the stages of the project cycle: problem identification, analysis,
program design an
d implementation. Students acquire skills necessary for
conceptualizing and implementing international or domestic projects
undertaken by nongovernmental organizations: needs assessment, goal and
purpose identification, formulation of logframe, workplan an
d budget, and
preparation of a funding proposal |
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
Yes
Graduate |
This course focuses on particular aspects of indigenous development. This
course is an ad
vanced study of the techniques and methodology of
quantitative research. This course will explore important methodological
questions and provide an opportunity for students to gain firsthand
experience of quantitative analysis using a variety of sophistica
ted
techniques such as correlation and regression analysis, hypothesis testing,
and ANOVA. The course is divided into three sections: descriptive statistics,
hypothesis testing/inferential statistics, and data modelling. Students will be
expected to demon
strate their understanding of the concepts learned
theoretically and apply the statistical techniques to practical problems in the
literature |
FULL CIRCLE: CAPSTONE IN INDIGENOUS DEVELOPM
ENT
Yes
Graduate |
This course provides a synthesis opportunity for students to consider
the nature of the discipline of Indigenous development and its relationship to
dominant development discourse and practice. Students reflect back upon
their two field placement
s and the relationship between theory and practice.
Using key tools, resources and frameworks gained throughout the program,
students are required to address a real development challenge faced by a
local organization in a major applied project. |
SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
Yes
Graduate |
GDP
-
7724 INDIGENOUS APPROACHES TO EVALUATION: THEORY
AND PRACTICE
(3)
In this experiential learning course, studen
ts are introduced to the purpose
and practice of Indigenous evaluation, as well as some of the analytical tools
used by evaluators, both Indigenous and mainstream. An Indigenous
approach to evaluation is a strengths
-
based exercise. It is committed to
respe
cting the community’s values and traditional ways of knowing.
Students will be given practical experiences in preparing data collection
instruments, gathering data from program participants and other
stakeholders, and interpreting the data. The course wil
l also explore how an
Indigenous approach to evaluation can be merged with the objectives of
mainstream funders and other external stakeholders.
PREREQUISITES: Admittance into MDP program OR instructor’s
permission.
GEOG/GDP
-
7750
MANAGING FOR ENVIRONMENTA
L SUSTAINABILITY
(3)
This course considers geographic and environmental approaches for
sustainable resource management, focusing on resource
-
based and
Indigenous communities. Discussion begins by outlining how resource
decisions are made within a context o
f change, complexity, uncertainty and
conflict. Key elements of effective governance, including Indigenous
knowledge and public participation are considered. Finally, current planning
and policy tools, including corporate social responsibility policies,
community
-
based resource management, and a
daptive management are reviewed
.
PREREQUISITES: Admittance into MDP program OR instructor’s
permission.
GDP
-
7790
SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE (
3
)
This course
enables students to interact with key leaders (schol
ars and
practitioners) in
the field of development practice. The emphasis is on enabling the entire
MDP cohort of students to meet, as the opportunity presents itself, with
leaders in development, and in particular, indigenous development. The goal
is to e
xpose students, in an integrated learning environment, to conceptual
and practical issues and innovative development practices as presented by a
variety of speakers who present to and lead discussions with MDP students.
PREREQUISITES: Admission to MDP.
REQUIRED
YEAR TWO COURSES
GDP
-
7715
INTERNATIONAL FIELD PLACEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT
PRACTICE (
3
)
The field placement allows students to ground their academic learning within
the auspices of an organization or community. The field placement involves
volunta
ry work and provides hands
-
on experience in the area of Indigenous
development. Students, in consultation with the MDP Director, select an
International field placement site and complete the equivalent of ten to twelve
weeks of work, usually during the sum
mer months. Students produce a field
placement portfolio, including a report and public presentation. Required
components include the Field Placement Student Preparation Sessions and
the De
-
Brief sessions organized by the MDP
.
PREREQUISITES: Admission to M
DP.
GDP
-
7721
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
(3)
This course examines theories and methods of strategic planning and project
management in community development, with a particular focus on
Indigenous peoples and Indigenous planning methods. The
course highlights
methods that are participatory, community
-
based and relevant for and
applicable to domestic and international Indigenous communities. The course
examines the stages of the project cycle: problem identification, analysis,
program design an
d implementation. Students acquire skills necessary for
conceptualizing and implementing international or domestic projects
undertaken by nongovernmental organizations: needs assessment, goal and
purpose identification, formulation of logframe, workplan an
d budget, and
preparation of a funding proposal.
PREREQUISITES: Admittance into MDP program OR instructor’s
permission.
GDP
-
7723 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS (3)
This course focuses on particular aspects of indigenous development. This
course is an ad
vanced study of the techniques and methodology of
quantitative research. This course will explore important methodological
questions and provide an opportunity for students to gain firsthand
experience of quantitative analysis using a variety of sophistica
ted
techniques such as correlation and regression analysis, hypothesis testing,
and ANOVA. The course is divided into three sections: descriptive statistics,
hypothesis testing/inferential statistics, and data modelling. Students will be
expected to demon
strate their understanding of the concepts learned
theoretically and apply the statistical techniques to practical problems in the
literature.
PREREQUISITES: Admission to MDP or instructor’s permission
GDP
-
7725 FULL CIRCLE: CAPSTONE IN INDIGENOUS DEVELOPM
ENT
(1.5)
This course provides a synthesis opportunity for students to consider
the nature of the discipline of Indigenous development and its relationship to
dominant development discourse and practice. Students reflect back upon
their two field placement
s and the relationship between theory and practice.
Using key tools, resources and frameworks gained throughout the program,
students are required to address a real development challenge faced by a
local organization in a major applied project.
PREREQUISI
TES: Admission to MDP.
GDP
-
7790 SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE |
MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER
Yes
Graduate |
The Major Research Paper [MRP] is a piece of original writing based on
indep
endent research, submitted in fulfillment of the MDP MRP stream. It is
of roughly 35
-
40 pages in length on a topic decided upon by the student in
consultation with their supervisor. The final paper is read by a two readers,
including the supervisor |
