Postgraduate Certificate in Global Development - Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

This postgraduate certificate aims to deepen your understanding of the key global development issues of our times. Whilst developed as a standalone qualification, it will also introduce ideas and develop skills for further study, such as with the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Global Development. These qualifications will continue to enhance your understanding of global development issues and the capacity to engage with them more effectively, in whatever context you are working or wish to work.

You will be able to reflect critically on the theories behind currently dominant approaches to development and development alternatives, the kinds of policies needed to change conditions of social injustice, and the types of public and private action that can be taken. It will provide an opportunity to build the skills to negotiate development effectively, and bring about more socially and environmentally sustainable development.

Learning outcomes

The qualification provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas: 

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this qualification you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the:

  • complex and contested meanings of global development.
  • key global development issues
  • key concepts and theories to make sense of global development.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification you will be able to:

  • critically discuss different understandings of global development.
  • define, critically examine and apply key concepts and theories to make sense of global development
  • select, interpret and evaluate different forms of evidence
  • reflect on your standpoint and the standpoint of others with respect to global development debates

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this qualification you will be able to:

  • independently plan, conduct and manage a sequence of work to meet agreed deadlines.
  • collaborate effectively to identify and address issues.
  • develop audio and visual presentations.
  • use and reflect on your own

Key skills

On completion of this qualification you will be able to:

  • work independently to develop and justify your own positions in global development debates
  • communicate effectively with academic, professional and lay audiences
  • make effective use of evidence
  • effectively use a range of media platforms in a professional context

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Module content is delivered on the Virtual Learning Environment, making full use of the Open University’s digitally enhanced teaching and learning experience. There is a mix of text, audio and video resources for students to draw upon in their learning. There are opportunities to learn and practise presentation and collaboration skills as well as learning how to analyse data. Postgraduate academic skills such as critical evaluation and writing for different purposes and audiences are also developed.

There are two formative and two summative tutor marked assessments and an end of module assessment in the form of an essay. 

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