27928 - Laboratory (1) (LM) (G. B)

Learning outcomes

The “Project Design for International Cooperation and Societal Challenges” course aims to critically present policies and practices of project design and management, with a particular focus on the European Union funding programs.

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

- critically analyse the calls for proposals promoted by the European Union and by other public and private entities. In particular, the link between the European policies and the funding programs as practices for implementing decentralized actions will be critically unpacked;

- draft a competitive project, thanks to solid project design and management tools and skills;

- manage and monitor a funded project, grasping possible risks and criticalities, also in relation to ethics and open science;

- use the tools acquired to develop project ideas for societal challenges (such as health, education, migrations) and international development cooperation.

Course contents

The course is divided into four modules fostering students’ ability to work in groups and share knowledge.

The first module focuses on the “Project Manager” job profile in academic and non-academic settings, and on how international cooperation and societal challenges are framed in EU policies and practices.

The second module focuses on project management tools (SWOT analysis, Project Cycle Management, Logical Framework Approach, Work Packages Structure, Gantt chart, Budget Planning, KPI). Particular emphasis will be given to good practices for stakeholders analysis and inclusive participatory project drafting.

The third module focuses on project management, and in particular on the concepts of dissemination, impact and sustainability. In this part of the workshop, guests will be invited to present best practices in different sectors, including health and education.

Finally, the fourth module consists in the presentation of group works and final papers.

Students are kindly asked to contact the lecturer via e-mail if they include this course in the study plan.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching and learning materials will be communicated prior to the start of the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, discussions and group work, case studies, analysis of projects and project evaluations.

Assessment methods

The student will be asked to write a paper (also co-authored) and presenting it in the last module of the course. The following criteria will be used for assessment:

1) a clear understanding of the main steps for the planning of a competitive project;

2) the ability to critically analyse the various factors involved in the monitoring of a competitive project;

3) the ability to identify, organise and collect information for individual or group work.

Active participation in lectures will be taken into account in the assessment.

Non-attending students

The course structure is designed for classroom work and active participation. Attendance is therefore strongly recommended. Students who attend at least 75% of the lectures will be considered as attending.

Those who are unable to attend the course, but still wish to include it in their study plan, are asked to contact the lecturer before the start of the course, in order to agree on the topic for a paper, which will be assessed by means of an oral interview.

Office hours

See the website of Licia Proserpio