Hanoi University

Faculty of International Studies

COURSE OUTLINE: NGOs and DEVELOPMENT

Course conductors :
Lecturer: Dang Thi Thanh Thao, MA (E: dang.thanhthao@gmail.com; T:0914373718).
Tutor: Nguyen Van Manh (E: nguyenmanh155@gmail.com, T: 0914373161).
Class time and Venue:
Lectures: Mondays: 14.30- 16.30 and Thursdays: 9.30 – 11.30
Tutorials: Tuesdays: 12.30 - 16.00 and Fridays: 7.30- 11.30

Course overview

Conceptual knowledge: This course introduces concept of NGOs and their role in
development as a component of civil society. We will explore the histories of NGOs, how
NGOs organize and operate within different political environment, how they interact with
each other, engage with the state and the private sector to take part in development and
contribute to social changes. We will also examine the development of NGOs, their
missions, strategies, practices and impacts on society within a country and in international
development.

Skills: Students are expected to develop their communications skills through active
listening, public speaking and presentation skills, team work spirit, presentation and writing
skills through group project and final examination.

Course requirements
• Students are required to attend at least 80% of all class hours.
• Prepare the given suggested readings before class and active participate in class
discussion and
• Complete all assignments and exam as required.

Grading
Participation: 10%
Mid-term group assignment: 40% (Written report: 25% and Oral presentation: 15%).
Final exam: 50%

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Hanoi University
Faculty of International Studies

COURSE SCHEDULE

Session 1: Introduction to the Course

• Introduction to the course and discussion of course expectation, readings and course
requirements.
• Overview on Civil society and NGOs.
Readings: Nguyen Manh Cuong, 2009. Co so ly luan va cac nguyen tac co ban de hinh
thanh va quan tri cac to chuc xa hoi dan su tai Vietnam. Chuong 2. (Trang 11- 37).
Sudipta Kaviraj and Sunil Khilnani, 2001. Civil Society, History and Possibilities (Page
1-6)

Session 2: Contexts, Histories and relevant concepts

The concept of the third sector. What is civil society? How does civil society relate to the
state and the market? What roles NGOs play in civil society?
Reading:
David Lewis, 2001. The Management of Non-governmental development organizations-
An introduction. Part 1. Section 2. (pg 29-60).
Nguyen Manh Cuong, 2009. Co so ly luan va cac nguyen tac co ban de hinh thanh va
quan tri cac to chuc xa hoi dan su tai Vietnam. Chuong 2. (Trang 11- 37).

Assignment:
Form a group of 3 students, choose an issue to work as your group project. The issue can
be a social or environmental problem that needs to be addressed, or a development topic
and how NGOs in Vietnam are working toward addressing the issue. You will work
together through the course with your group on this project with support from your
lecturer and tutor (Detail instructions to be informed).

Session 3: NGOs and Development

Readings:
David Lewis, 2001.The Management of Non-governmental development organizations-
An introduction. Part 1. Section 3 (pg 62-81) and Part 2. (page 71- 122).
John Clark, 1990. Democratizing Development- The role of Voluntary Organisations.
Part 1 (page 1- 44).
Alan Fowler, 1997. Striking a Balance: A guide to Enhancing the Effective of Non-
governmental organizations in International Development. Part 1. NGDOs in
Development (page 3-39).

Session 4: Managing the main NGOs activities: Advocacy and services delivery
Reading
David Lewis, 2001. The Management of Non-governmental development organizations-
An introduction. Part 2 (page 109- 139) and page 140-160
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Hanoi University
Faculty of International Studies

Session 5: NGOs and the management of relationships

Reading
David Hulme and Michael Edwards, 1997. NGOs, States and Donors: Too close for
Comfort? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (page 3- 22) and (191- 256)

Session 6. Organizing Non- Profits for Development

Reading:
David Lewis, 2001. The Management of Non-governmental development organizations-
An introduction. (page 1- 25).
Alan Fowler, 1997. Striking a Balance: A Guide to Enhancing the Effectiveness of
NGOs in International Development. Part 2. (page 43- 68).
John Clark, 1990. Democratizing Development- The role of Voluntary Organisations.
Part 3 (page 186- 199).

Session 7: Midterm- Group project presentation

Session 8: NGOs: Accountability and Legitimacy
Reading:
Michael Edwards and David Hulme, 1996. Beyound the Magic Bullet- NGO
Performance and accountability in the Post-Cold War World. Part III (page 167- 264).
Alan Fowler, 1997. Striking a Balance: A Guide to Enhancing the Effectiveness of
NGOs in International Development. Part 3 (page 187- 214).

Session 9: Review for final examination.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Alan Fowler, 1997. Striking a Balance: A Guide to Enhancing the Effectiveness of NGOs in
International Development
Micheal Edwards and David Hulme, 1996. Beyound the Magic Bullet- NGO Performance
and accountability in the Post-Cold War World
John Clark, 1990. Democratizing Development- The role of Voluntary Organisations.
David Hulme and Michael Edwards, 1997. NGOs, States and Donars: Too close for
Comfort? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (page 3- 256).
David Lewis, 2001. The Management of Non-governmental development organizations- An
introduction.
Sudipta Kavijaj & Sunil Khilnani, 2001. Civil Society- History and Possibilities.
Nguyễn Mạnh Cường, 2009. Cơ sở lý luận và các nguyên tắc cơ bản để hình thành và quản
trị các tổ chức xã hội dân sự tại Việt Nam. (both English and Vietnamese versions are
available).