Dr Armine Ishkanian OLD2.42, Dr Timothy Hildebrandt and Prof David Lewis

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Social Policy and Development: Non-Governmental Organisations. This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MSc in African Development, MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Social Policy (Research) and MSc in Social Policy and Development. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Students will preferably have some experience of work within NGOs and/or relevant government departments or donor agencies working with NGOs.

The course focuses on the specialised field of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within the field of social policy and development, and considers theoretical and policy issues. Main topics include the history and theory of NGOs; the changing policy contexts in which NGOs operate; NGO service delivery and advocacy roles in policy; challenges of NGO accountability; NGO organisational growth and change; conceptual debates around civil society, social capital, social movements and globalisation; and NGO relationships with other institutional actors including government, donors and private sector.

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of lectures in the ST.

Students will produce and receive feedback on one critical review essay of 1500 words. Weekly student led seminars will also help to train students in writing an essay plan that responds critically and effectively to a question.

Anheier, H.K. (2005) Nonprofit Organizations: Theory, Management, Policy. London: Routledge; Bebbington, A., Hickey, S. and Mitlin, D. (2008) Can NGOs Make a Difference? London: Zed Books; Edwards, M. and Hulme, D. NGOs, Performance and Accountability: Beyond the Magic Bullet. London: Earthscan; Glasius, M, Lewis, D. and Seckinelgin, H. (2004) eds. Exploring Civil Society: Political and Cultural Contexts, London: Routledge; Kaldor, M. and Anheier, H.K. Global Civil Society Yearbooks 2001-2010. Oxford University Press/Sage; Holmen, H. (2010) Snakes in Parsdise: NGOs and the Aid Industry in Africa. Sterling VA: Kumarian; Howell, J. and J. Pearce (2001) Civil Society and Development: A Critical Exploration. London: Lynne Rienner; Lewis, D. and Kanji, N. (2009) Non-Governmental Organisations and Development. London: Routledge.

Exam (60%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (40%, 2500 words) in the ST.