Reflective Writing for Development Practitioners October 2019 Batch
Development practitioners acquire a great deal of experiential knowledge and insight through the course of their work and yet little of this enters public and academic discourse around development issues. For the individual practitioner, the process of writing reflectively about their practice can help to clarify and improve practice. For the organisation, creating a culture of reflective writing can lead to critical reflection on its own work and practice, and inform its future trajectory.
The course will introduce participants to the process of thinking systematically about their work and experience, reading and analysing written work, and writing a reflective case study which goes beyond simple documentation. It will introduce students to the principles of reflective case study writing, and build capacity for critical reading, systematic analysis, and the use of primary evidence and secondary data in a critical and ethical way.
What Does the Course Offer?
- Strengthen participants’ comfort and ease with writing
- Provide participants with observational, thinking, reading, and writing frameworks to improve the content and structure of their writing
- Enable participants to write, revise, and complete one reflective case study.
Course Details
The course will consist of four days of classroom engagement as well as pre and post-class elements. During the course, participants will be expected to develop a study. Those who submit the final case study will be awarded a certificate of participation by Azim Premji University.
Course Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2019 | Submission of 200 – 300 word abstract and 200 – 300 word rationale for developing this case study. This submission is part of the application process and will be used to select participants for the course. |
| June 20 – July 28, 2019 | Participants to collect relevant materials for case study (data, documentation) at their own locations |
| July 29 – August 1, 2019 | 4‑day program in Bangalore |
| September 3 | Submission of first draft of case study |
| September 7 | Live webinar with instructor (Q&A) |
| October 7 | Final submission of cases |
| November 4 | Instructor sends feaedback |
| November 15 | Issuance of Certificates of Participation (will be sent by post) |
- Reading exercises: individual and group
- Writing exercises: individual and group
- Lecture and discussion: why case studies, reflective versus documentation styles, how to gather information, ethical considerations, developing an outline, feedback
- Writing sessions: working on own case studies
- Feedback sessions
The course is meant for development practitioners with at least five years of work experience. Fluency in English language is important criteria. Consultants, journalists, reporters and others may join too. The course is not intended for students and research scholars. Participants are expected to bring their own laptops.
Accommodation
For participants requiring accommodation for the 4‑day program in Bangalore, the university can arrange for accommodation for Rs. 5900 (including GST) upon advance payment. Dinner/breakfast not included.
How to Apply?
Candidates can apply by completing an application form and submit an abstract of the case study of 200 – 300 words, plus a 200 – 300 word write-up explaining why the participant thinks this case study is worth writing. The selection of participants will be made on the basis of structure, content, and language of the abstract and the rationale. The candidates will be informed about their selection for further processes and fee payment.
Resources
Fee Structure
| INR 4720 | For general participants |
|---|---|
| INR 1180 | For Field Practice Partners of the university |
Prices inclusive of all taxes.