Fall 2015
International Development Program
Skills Institutes
SIS-638-005 Organizational Development
September 18-20
Ladek
SIS-638-001 Gender Analysis & Development
October 23-25
Morris
SIS-638-002 Innovation in Market Development
November 6-8
Bass
SIS-638-003 Project and Program Evaluation
November 13-15
Van Wicklin
TO REGISTER:
Register as you would for
regular courses. Students
may register or drop up to
two days before the
Institute begins, but since
space is limited, early
registration is strongly
recommended. Students
are registered on a firstcome first-served basis.
Students may drop an
Institute with a 100% refund
provided that your request
(including course number
and section and your AUID)
is emailed to sisskills@american.edu no
later than two days prior to
the institute's start date.
READING: For many
Institutes some advanced
reading is required.
CREDITS: Each Institute is
worth one credit hour of
graduate level credit. All
students will receive a
pass/fail grade.
ELIGIBLE STUDENTS: All
AU graduate students
interested in international
development who have
completed either 636,
637, or the equivalent are
eligible.
COST: Students will be
charged the current
tuition rate for one
graduate level credit
hour.
SIS-638-001 Gender Analysis and Development
This course explores the concept of gender and its practical application to international
development programs and policy. It covers a variety of analytical and planning tools as well
as frameworks and methodologies developed and used by gender practitioners and activists
worldwide. Course participants review gender concepts, gender analysis frameworks, gender
analysis tools and strategies for gender mainstreaming and gender integration in international
relief and development programs. This interactive skills institute focuses on applying gender
analysis tools in program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
SIS-638-002 Innovation in Market Development
This course exposes students to new strategies to assist micro and small entrepreneurs in
market development such as business training, strengthening producers' commercial
relationships with suppliers & buyers, improving collaboration among producers, product
development, and advisory and information services, among others. The course acquaints
students with emerging and innovative ideas on market development best practices including
the essential principles and core skills behind the design and management of market
development interventions to create well-functioning markets. The course exposes students to
the wide range of market development strategies, major intervention types and techniques,
and tools and practices. A practical emphasis draws lessons from donor and practitioner
agencies across the world through case studies and group exercises to illustrate emerging
approaches to market development in different contexts (urban, rural, peri-urban, and
transitional economies) and types of enterprises targeted (micro, small, and medium scale
enterprises) to facilitate learning and enhance the skills and knowledge of students in the
design and management of market development interventions.
SIS-638-003 Project and Program Evaluation
This course focuses on the development of skills to evaluate projects and programs using a
variety of qualitative tools. It provides a basic understanding of the steps to include in
preparing for and conducting an evaluation and includes you as the evaluator; designing
evaluations; developing indicators; and practicing the use of several different tools.
SIS-638-005 Organizational Development
Every organization, whether not for profit, for profit or hybrid, begins with an idea. This idea
is translated into a product or service that seeks to solve one or more problems. As the
organization experiences success, it will be required to evolve to improve its products or
services, respond to market needs and increase its effectiveness. In today’s world, this
evolution is constant, rapid and affects every aspect of the organization - including its
structure, human resources, culture, partnerships, administration and financing. Because of
this, managing change is a critical leadership skill whether you are working for a startup,
established middle-market player or massive global brand. In this case-based course, the class
will use an exceedingly practical hands-on approach to consider how to recognize, survive and
lead in the constant churn that is organizational development.