SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Project Planning & Policy Advocacy
DEVS 361/3.0
This course connects theory with practice through in-depth, skills-based modules on project design, results-based management (RBM), and policy advocacy. Students will apply core concepts and best practices to effective proposal writing, project management, and policy advocacy.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the winter term
Learning Outcomes
To complete this course, students will demonstrate their ability to:
1. Define core concepts and terminology pertinent to policy advocacy, proposal writing, and budget monitoring and reporting.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the project planning process, and practice using the skills for design of development related projects.
3. Demonstrate budgeting skills necessary to plan and write a global development proposal, including identifying resource requirements, costing, and planning within a fixed budget.
4. Assess data required to effectively and ethically monitor a project cycle; analyze and clearly communicate relevant data.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the policy-making process, and practice strategies that can be used to influence policy decision makers.
6. Apply current tools and frameworks to plan a public policy campaign informed by an analysis of the political environment.
7. Using ongoing self-reflective practices, assess how policy advocacy campaign strategies were arrived at and propose correcting or refining aims if needed.
Description
Most Global or International Development programs in Canada highlight the need for political and policy changes to achieve social justice and environmental sustainability. However, the teaching of practical skills required to advocate effectively for such change lags behind. This course is designed to equip students with basic practical skills required to secure funding, to plan, implement and monitor projects, and to engage in policy advocacy work. It equips students with the project planning, and effective policy advocacy skills.
Students will learn the cornerstones of project proposal writing, as well as get an orientation project budgeting and work plan creation and RBM. In the second part of the course, students will apply their understanding of project management and economic literacy to the challenge of designing a public campaign aimed at legal and policy changes at the governmental level toward the goal of global justice advocacy.
Topics at a Glance
Week 1 Introduction to Core Concepts
Week 2 Case Studies
Week 3 Case Studies
Week 4 Identifying and framing projects and writing proposals
Week 5 Project Planning and Budgeting
Week 6 Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Week 7 Results Based Management (RBM)
Week 8 Project Proposal Preparation
Week 9 Public Policy and Lobbying Government
Week 10 NGOs and Trade Unions
Week 11 Building Alliances
Week 12 Media
Terms
Fall 2020
Course Dates:
Sept. 8 - Dec. 7, 2020
Exam Dates:
N/A
Evaluation
20% - Briefing Paper
3% - Draft Project Description
5% - Draft Budget
7% - Draft RBM
22.5% - Project Proposal
2.5% - GRASP Activity
5% - Policy Advocacy Campaign Plan
17.5% - Information Campaign
2.5% - GRASP Activity
15% - Critical Reflection on Alliances
*Evaluation Subject to Change*
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities).
Instructor
Robert Aucoin (robert.aucoin@queensu.ca)
Textbooks and Materials
All assignment instructions, supplementary exercises, and links to online resources are available on onQ.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend, on average, about 10 hours per week completing relevant readings, assignments, and course activities.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
