UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

(UNIMTECH)
SOLOMON SATELLITE CAMPUS LUNSAR

PROVISIONAL
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINSTRATION Comprehensive Examinations
TEMPLETE
DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT STUDIES for Bachelor of Science in
Development Studies

Secretariat: solomon campus 51 bai rampa road lunsar

Sulayman koroma
Administrative and academic head
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Unimtech_solomon campus
[email protected] _(076762232)
 SEMESTER II

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PAPERS

To All Students.
Good afternoon to all. . The exams office is pleased to inform all students that the
said continuous assessments are going for a total of 30% as indicated thus: Shared
Based Activity, Reflective Journal and Academic Article are each goes for 10%.
comprehensive examinations which will commence in due course will go for 70%.
See below details of the mode of assessments. Please stay safe and help to prevent
corona virus from spreading. Always observe the guiding principles to keep you safe
and your family
Approach
Case studies related questions will be posted for student discussion . grade will be
awarded to deserving student based on the following criteria
1, concept...student are expected to share tacit and implicit knowledge on related
areas of case studies .
2.. orderly presentation of knowledge using the appropriate variables
3.. writing skills of student must be based on total number of required words /
grammar/maturity ..
Cancellation of paper...
1..Comparison
2 late submission.
3 plagiarism. Etc

DISSERTATION RESEARCH

A major requirement for graduation is for students to write, under the supervision of staff
in the (related) department, a dissertation of between 10,000 and 20,000 words double
spaced typing on a problem in their degree programme area. Students will register for
this course during this semester, although they should have started the research in the
previous academic year.

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 DIRECTED READINGS IN DEVELOPMENT

Students, are encouraged to download the available resource materials for each paper
and start reading,,

Comprehensive Examinations for Bachelor of Science in Development Studies

Paper Sections Modules Percentage

Marks

A DES 314_Environmental Impact 25%

Assessment
DES Paper
1 B DES 322_Food Security 25%

C DES 321_Migration and 25%

Urbanization

D DES 216_Demographic Estimation 25%

Paper Sections Modules Percentage

Marks

A GEN 321_Business Communication 25%

II
DES Paper
2 B GEN 321_Management Information 25%
System

C DES 224_Social Change and 25%

Development

D DES 323_Development Project 25%

Implementation, Monitoring and
Evaluation

Paper Sections Modules Percentage

Marks

A GEN 222_Research Methods 25%

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DES Paper B DES 215_Introduction to 50%
3 Demography

C DES 222_Macro-economics of 25%

Development II

Paper Sections Modules Percentage

Marks

DES Paper A GEN 311_Project Management 50%

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B DES 223_Human Settlement 25%
System

C DES 414_Seminar in Development 25%

Research Methods

Paper Sections Modules Percentage

Marks

A GEN 322_Entrepreneurship 25%

Education
DES Paper
5 B DES 411_Seminar in Development 25%
Thought and Theories

C DES 311_Development Policy, 50%

Planning and Design

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 DES PAPER 1 MODULAR CONTENTS

DES 314 – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

Environmental management systems are the practical means by which organisations

minimise their impacts on the environment. In this course you’ll learn how to assess
impacts at different scales, and design, implement and monitor mitigation measures.
This knowledge will assist you to critically evaluate complex environmental issues and
assist in the development of Environmental Impact Statements (EIA’s) and the
preparation, maintenance and implementation Environmental Management Systems
(EMS) in accordance with relevant environmental legislation and international
standards.

Course Outlines

The course will include the following key areas: Risk Assessment; Environmental
Management Systems ( in accordance with ISO 14001); Environmental Impact
Assessments; Life cycle assessment; Project Implementation and Environmental
Performance; Corporate social responsibility and environmental reporting

DES 322 - FOOD SECURITY (3 Credit Hours)

Course Description

Food security has emerged as an important aspect of man’s survival globally and in
poorer nations in particular. Intervention concerns transcend availability at individual
level. It is hoped that students’ conceptual, methodological and practical skills will be
developed to address problems of food insecurity spatially.

Course Outlines

The course covers the following. Food security: definitions and concepts. Food security
framework and its adaptation for urban analysis.Comparative analysis of different food
security frameworks by scale and level of anlysis. Measurement, operationalisation,
methods of investigation, explanation and understanding of the components of the
general food security framework: food (in) security; utilisation; accessibility; availability.
The relationship between the concept of food security, vulnerability, poverty and
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livelihoods.The synergies of the components of food security. Vulnerability to food
insecurity, mitigations and the development policy, programme and project cycle. Case
study of food (in) security among different vulnerable groups in urban and rural areas.

DES 321 - MIGRATION AND URBANIZATION (3 Credit Hours)

Course Description

The course introduces students to the principles guiding migration and urbanization, as
most Sierra Leoneans either migrated to urban areas or out of the country during and /
or after the blood civil war.

Course Outlines

This course is concerned with the following: a study of economic and sociological
theories of migration, regional growth and population adjustment. Concepts, principles,
process and measurement of migration.Types, trends and impact of migration on
demographic structure. Policies and programmes influencing migration: internal and
external migration at different geographical levels. Special migrant groups: internally
displaced persons, refugees, human trafficking, etc. Urbanization: definition, theories,
concept, principles, process and measurement. Levels, trends and patterns of
urbanization: effect of colonial and post colonialism; growth of urban populations;
unemployment and the informal sector; environmental problems; poverty; policies to
reduce the pull of urban life; improving rural life; housing; peri- and sub-urbanism. Urban
and development: planning and management. Peri-urbanism, small towns and rural-
urban interface.

DES 216 - DEMOGRAPHIC ESTIMATES (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

In this course, students will be introduced to empirical studies in population and

development.

Course Outlines

This course content coversmethods; analysis and case study; sources; collection;
processing and interdependency of evaluating demographic data; techniques of data
evaluation; total population and population change; techniques of demographic
analysis; mortality; life tables; marriage and divorce/nuptiality; natality and fertility; and
migration; population projections and indirect estimation techniques.

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 DES PAPER 2 MODULAR CONTENTS

GEN 221 – BUSINESS COMMUNICATION II (2 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

This course is designed to sensitize students to their communicative behaviour and to

enable them to reflect and improve on their communicative behaviour in an
organization, to build capacities for self-criticism and facilitate growth and to lead
students to effective performances in communication. The syllabus is designed to
progressively broaden and deepen the knowledge, skills and professional values
demonstrated by the student on their way through the qualification.

Course Outlines

Unit One:Presentations to Inform

Functions of the presentation to inform; types of presentations to inform; adapting your

presentation to teach; diverse types of intelligence and learning styles; preparing your
speech to inform; creating an informative presentation.

Unit Two:Presentations to Persuade

What is persuasion?; principles of persuasion; functions of the presentation to

persuade; meeting the listener’s basic needs; making an argument; speaking ethically
and avoiding fallacies; sample persuasive speech; elevator speech.

Unit Three:Business Presentations in Action

Sound bites and quotable; telephone/voip communication; meetings; celebrations:

toasts and roasts; media interviews; introducing a speaker; presenting or accepting an
award; serving as master of ceremonies; viral messages.

Unit Four:Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Business Communication

Intrapersonal communication; self-concept and dimensions of self; interpersonal needs;

social penetration theory; rituals of conversation; conflict in the work environment

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Unit Five:Negative News and Crisis Communication

Delivering a negative news message; eliciting negative news; crisis communication

plan; press conferences

Unit Six:Intercultural and International Business Communication

Intercultural communication; how to understand intercultural communication; common

cultural characteristics; divergent cultural characteristics; international communication
and the global marketplace; styles of management; the international assignment

Unit Seven:Group Communication, Teamwork, and Leadership

What is a group? Group life cycles and member roles; group problem solving; business
and professional meetings; teamwork and leadership

Unit Eight:Communicating for Employment

Developing your skills and experience; the power of networking; résumés and cover
letters; interviewing for success.

GEN 321 - MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3 Cr. hrs)

Course Description

This course is designed to enable the student to understand the theory, development,
application and management of information systems and their impact on people and
organizations; emphasis on strategy, ethics and competitive advantage of modern
technology.

Course Outlines
Unit One: Management Information System (MIS): Concept and definition, Role of
MIS, Process of Management, MIS-A tool for management process, Impact of MIS, MIS
and computers, MIS and the user, IMS- a support to the Management.

Unit Two: Planning and Decision-making: The concept of corporate planning,

Strategic planning, Type of strategic, Tools of Planning, MIS-Business Planning;
Decision-making concepts, Methods, tools and procedures, Organizational Decision
making, MIS and Decision making concepts.

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Unit Three: Information and System: Information concepts, Information: A quality
product classification of the information, Methods of data and information collection,
Value of information, MIS and System concept, MIS and System analysis, Computer
System Design.

Unit Four: Development of MIS: Development of long rage plans of the MIS.
Ascertaining the class of information, determining the information requirement,
Development and implementation of the MIS, Management of quality in the MIS,
organization for development of the MIS, MIS: the factors of success and failure.

Unit Five: Decision Support System (DSS): Concept and Philosophy, DSS:
Deterministic Systems, Artificial intelligence (AI) System, Knowledge based expert
system(KBES), MIS and the role of DSS, Transaction Processing System(TPS),
Enterprise Management System(EMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System,
Benefits of ERP, EMS & ERP.

DES 224 - SOCIAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

This course examines the sources, patterns and consequences of social change.
Classic and modern theories of social change are evaluated. It will focus on
modernization and development in Third World countries and explores the issues of
globalization. Thus the course examines change in global and contemporary contexts.

Course Outlines

This course focuses on the following; definitions, mechanisms, concepts (assimilation,

acculturation, adaptation, conflict, rebellion, revolutionand organizational change) and
theoretical approaches to explanation and understanding of social change. Concepts
and policy approaches to development.

Measurement of social change and development; characteristics, causes and

consequences of economic growth in developing countries with special reference to
Sierra Leone; domestic development problems and policy options in Sierra Leone;
poverty and inequality; population growth, unemployment and migration; agriculture and
rural development.

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International development problems and policies: Trade and development, private
investment and foreign aid with special reference to Sierra Leone; development
possibilities and interdependence, food security, debt crises, governance and security.

DES 323 - DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND

EVALUATION (3 Credit Hours)

Course Description

This course will increase students’ chances of either gaining employment in the area of
general management of development project or build their skills to manage
development organisation that they conceive.

Course Outlines

It covers the following topics. The significance of the logical framework in the
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects. Project implementation:
definition, concepts, principles and process. Project implementation plan: institutional
and logistics arrangements; costs and timing for the deployment of inputs; management
of resources and loss. Coordination of project implementation plan. Monitoring:
definition, principles, process and qualities of monitoring agents. Monitoring indicators,
sources of data, and qualitative and quantitative methods of monitoring projects. Ethics,
politics and the use of monitoring information in project work. Evaluation: definition,
concepts, principles, process and qualities of the evaluator. Evaluation implementation
Plan: institutional and logistics arrangements; costs and timing; management of
resources and loss. Evaluation indicators, sources of data, research designs, types of
evaluation, qualitative and quantitative methods of evaluating projects. Ethics, politics
and use of evaluation reports.

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 DES PAPER 3 MODULAR CONTENTS

GEN 322 – RESEARCH METHODS (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

This course is designed to enable students to understand the process of research. The
course will help them understand the concepts of sample and sampling tools for data
collection and analysis.

Course Outlines

Unit One: Introduction – Meaning of Research; Objectives of Research; Types of

Research; Research Process; Research Problem formulation.
Unit Two: the Design of Research-Research Design; Features of a Good design;
Different Research Designs ; Measurement in Research; Data types; Sources of Error.
Unit Three: Sampling Design- Census and Sample Surveys; Steps in Sampling Design;
Types of Sample designs-Probability and Non Probability sampling.
Unit Four: Processing and Analysis of Data- Processing operations; problems in
processing; types of analysis Hypothesis Testing- Chi-square test, Z test, t-test, f-test.
Unit Five: Presentation- Diagrams; graphs; chars. Report writing; Layout of Research
report; Types of Reports; Mechanism of writing a Research report; Precaution for writing
report.

DES 215 - INTRODUCTION TO DEMOGRAPHY (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

This course provides student with an introductory knowledge of principles and

definitions of demography, and an understanding of demographic trends and
components, population composition and basic demographic measures.
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Course Outlines

Demography and Population Studies: Definitions and concepts of Demography; History

of Demography; Nature and scope of Demography and Population Studies;
Demography and inter-related Disciplines, Sources of Demographic Data: Population
census; vital registration system; demographic surveys; international migration
statistics; population registers and other sources; Sources of data in Sierra Leone,
Demographic Components: Definitions; concepts; measurements and determinants of
fertility; mortality and migration, Population Composition: Age; Sex; Marital status;
Education; Religion; Ethnicity; Residence; Economic activity, Population Growth:
Natural increase and migration increase; Growth rate.

DES 222 - MACRO-ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT II (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

This course is post –requisite to DES 213.

Course Outlines

Key topics areas are expected to be covered by the students for this course are: The
measurement of macroeconomic variables; national income accounts; price indices;
balance sheets; the measurement of employment and unemployment; the price level
and inflation; the development of basic model.

DES PAPER 4 MODULAR CONTENTS

GEN 311 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT (3 Credits Hrs)

Course Description
This course introduces the tasks and challenges fundamental to project management,
the vital function of managing complex projects. Successful project managers possess
the skills necessary to manage their teams, schedules, risks, and resources to produce
desired outcome. In this course, students learn the skills and tools of project
management with a practical, hands-on approach.
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Course Outlines
Unit One: The concept of a project, characteristics of a project, phases in the life cycle
of a project.
Unit Two: Time Scheduling a Project: Gantt Carts and LOB,
Unit Three: Network Techniques: concept of project network, construction of project
network, critical path method, slack and free float, PERT and its advantage over CPM.
Probability of completing a project on time, crashing a network and concept of PERT
cost.
Unit Four: Forms of project organization, project planning and control, human aspects
of project management.
Unit Five: Performance reviews on the basis of planned project cost and time. Major
reasons for cost and time over runs, and remedial measures.

DES 223 - HUMAN SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS (3 Credit Hours)

Course Description

The module provides the necessary specialist professional knowledge in the related
fields and disciplines to achieve the programme purpose, and allows students with the
right actions that will preserve our planet.

Course Outlines

This course focuses on the following; types, functions and relationships of settlements;
the city in history;urban hierarchies;land use patterns and their interrelationships in
different types of settlements;urban planning and new towns in Africa; settlement
development and environmental degradation in Sierra Leone; the role of the GOSL and
NGO’s in Housing delivery in Urban and rural settlements.

DES 412 - SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH METHODS (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

Students are guided to make critical and creative contributions through presentations for
discussions on some of the methodological and practical research issues in
development, particularly in Sierra Leone. Students make a write up of their
presentations for grading.

Course Outlines

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Issues will include: philosophical orientations in development research, ethics and
politics, designing development research, use of qualitative and quantitative techniques,
practical and personal issues in fieldwork, working with special groups, computer aided
analysis of data, computer aided writing and presentation of reports.

DES PAPER 5 MODULAR CONTENTS

GEN 222 – ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION (3 Cr. hrs)

Course Description

This course is designed to help students know about entrepreneurship and to

recognizes the importance of a business opportunity. From the initial idea to the
operating and maintaining a business, this course explores every aspect of business
ownership. Entrepreneurship is necessary not only for students who will become
entrepreneurs, but also for individuals working in the increasingly competitive corporate
world, hence students will be exposed to ways and means of establishing and running
small/medium business enterprises.

Course Outlines

The course will cover the following units:

Unit One: Concept of entrepreneurship: meaning & characteristics of entrepreneurship,

Entrepreneurial culture, socio-economic origin of entrepreneurship, factors affecting
entrepreneurship, conceptual model of entrepreneurship, traits of a good entrepreneur,
entrepreneur, entrepreneurs and manager.

Unit Two: Entrepreneurial motivation: motivating, compelling and facilitating factors,

Entrepreneurial ambition, and achievement motivation theory.

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UnitThree: Establishment of entrepreneurial systems: search, processing and selection
of idea, Input requirements.

UnitFour: (SME) meaning, importance, characteristics, advantages and problems in

running SME. Step for starting a small industry, guidelines for project report, registration
as SME.

UnitFive: Assistance to SME’s: need for incentives and subsidies, need for institutional
support, role of government and other institutions towards SME’s.

DES 411 - SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENT THOUGHT AND THEORIES (3 Cr. Hrs)

Course Description

Students are guided to make critical and creative contributions through presentations for
discussions on some of the paradigmatic/theoretical issues in development, particularly
in Sierra Leone. Students make a write up of their presentations for grading.

Course Outlines

Areas of concerns include: philosophical thoughts and conceptualization of

development; modernist and post modernist discourses. Neo-classical and structural
models of development: their spatial versions and manifestations.

DES 311 - DEVELOPMENT POLICY, PLANNING AND DESIGN (3 Credit Hours)

Course Description

This course aims at building students’ knowledge on how development policy is

formulated and the processes involved in planning and designing of the associated
interventions.

Course Outlines

The contents include the following.

The concept of human well-being and the problems of measuring and solving it. The
development policy traditions: concepts and nature. Principles of development policy.

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The techniques and tools used in the development policy cycle framework: problem
identification and diagnosis, appraisal, implementation and evaluation. The role of
politicians, public administrators, organisations and interest groups in the formulation of
development policy. The development planning traditions: concepts, principles, nature,
feedback, resource analysis. The role of politicians, public administrators, organisations
and interest groups in the formulation of development plan.The role of stakeholders in
the design of development activities. The synergies in development policy, planning and
design: practical problems and prospects with special reference to Sierra Leone.
Selected case studies and sectoral concerns.

Final Grading for the award of a B. Sc (Hons) in Development Studies

Continuous Continuous Assessment is a combination of all

Assessment grades/assessments completed in the following years:
1, 2, 3 and 1st semester of the 4th year, which is usually
referred to as primaries)

Comprehensive A total of 5 papers is taken at this level. Each paper

Assessment comprises a set of courses/modules categorized into
sections.

Dissertation Every student shall undertake independent research

Writing writing under the supervision of a lecturer. This carries
5% of the total programme assessment

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