COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
PIR 343	C	5	3	0	0	3	5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Isa Erbaş ierbas@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Isa Erbaş ierbas@epoka.edu.al
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	D 101, 09:40-12:30
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
Course Description:	Students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of project management, emphasizing their application in social sciences. Topics covered include defining project objectives, scoping, stakeholder analysis, project planning methodologies, resource allocation, and risk management. Through interactive discussions, group exercises, and real-world case studies, students will gain a solid understanding of the project lifecycle and the key principles underlying successful project implementation.
Course Objectives:	The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methods, and tools of project development and management in both local and international contexts. It focuses on equipping students with the analytical and practical skills required to identify needs, design project proposals, plan implementation strategies, and conduct effective monitoring and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the integration of research-based approaches, stakeholder engagement, ethical responsibility, and sustainability throughout the project cycle. By combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications and case studies, the course prepares students to manage development projects effectively and contribute to evidence-based decision-making in institutional and community settings.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Focuses on the principles, processes, and tools of project development and management within international and local contexts.
2	Focuses on integrating research-based approaches into the design, implementation, and evaluation of development projects.
3	Focuses on developing students’ knowledge and skills to plan, manage, and evaluate development projects through evidence-based and participatory approaches.
4	Focuses on developing students’ practical skills in planning, managing, and assessing projects within the international aid and development system.
5	Focuses on understanding how effective project management contributes to sustainable development and institutional capacity building.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Course Introduction, Overview Syllabus and Course Expectations. This section introduces students to the course, outlining its main focus, relevance, and connection to their academic program. It provides a general overview of what will be studied and how the course contributes to their broader learning goals.
2	Understanding the Nature of project/research. This topic introduces students to the foundations of project/research, explaining its purpose, significance, and role in generating knowledge within their academic field. It helps them grasp key concepts and stages of the research process. O’Leary, Z. (2021). The essential guide to doing your research project (pp. 1–16). SAGE Publications.
3	Projects and Tools in Development. This topic explores key concepts and practical tools used in project planning and implementation within international development. It helps students understand how theories are applied to real-world development projects. Scott, C. (2023). The project in international development: Theory and practice (pp. 1–18). Routledge.
4	Setting Up and Getting Started. This topic guides students through the initial stages of a research project, including defining objectives, planning methods, and organizing resources to ensure a strong start to their research process. O’Leary, Z. (2021). (pp. 21–35).
5	Project Management in the International Aid System. This topic examines how development projects are managed within the international aid system, focusing on planning, coordination, funding, and evaluation to ensure effective project outcomes. Scott, C. (2023). (pp. 22–44).
6	Project Inseptions. This topic focuses on the early stages of project development, including identifying needs, setting goals, defining scope, and designing strategies to ensure successful project initiation. Scott, C. (2023). (pp. 45–77).
7	Midterm Examination.
8	Project Planning. This topic covers the process of designing a detailed project plan, including setting objectives, timelines, budgets, and responsibilities to ensure effective implementation and management. Scott, C. (2023). (pp. 78–113).
9	Developing Research Questions. This topic helps students learn how to formulate clear, focused, and researchable questions that guide their studies and shape the direction of their research projects. O’Leary, Z. (2021). (pp. 39–55).
10	Crafting a Research Proposal. This topic guides students in developing a structured research proposal, outlining the study’s aims, background, methods, and significance to demonstrate a clear research plan. O’Leary, Z. (2021). (pp. 85–97).
11	Reviewing Literature. This topic teaches students how to locate, analyze, and synthesize existing research to build a strong theoretical foundation and identify gaps for their own studies. O’Leary, Z. (2021). (pp. 99–118).
12	Project Monitoring. This topic focuses on tracking project progress through data collection, evaluation, and reporting to ensure activities stay on schedule and meet planned objectives. Scott, C. (2023). (pp. 114–138).
13	This topic examines how to assess a project’s outcomes and measure its overall impact, emphasizing accountability, learning, and improvement in future initiatives. Evaluation and Impact. Scott, C. (2023). (pp. 139–165).
14	Revision and reflection. Students and instructor review the students` work critically, assess their learning progress, and reflect on how to improve future research or project practices.

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	Caitlin Scott (2023). The project in international development: Theory and practice. Routledge. Zina O'Leary (2021). The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. SAGE publications.
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	By the end of this course, students will be able to explain the fundamental concepts, stages, and terminology related to project development and management within national and international contexts.
2	Identify the key actors, tools, and frameworks operating in the international aid and development system.
3	Apply appropriate research methods and project management techniques to the design, planning, and implementation of development projects.
4	Develop a coherent and evidence-based project proposal that addresses specific development challenges or community needs.
5	Analyze stakeholder roles, resource allocation, and risk management strategies in project cycles.
6	Evaluate project outcomes using monitoring, evaluation, and impact-assessment tools.
7	Integrate theoretical foundations from research methodology and practical approaches to development management.
8	Demonstrate professional skills in academic writing, teamwork, and project documentation consistent with international standards.
9	Assess ethical, social, and sustainability dimensions of development interventions, ensuring projects align with responsible and inclusive practices.
10	Design innovative project models or frameworks that promote effective implementation, transparency, and long-term impact in development contexts.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) Program
1	Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources.	4
2	Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches.	5
3	Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects.	5
4	Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions.	4
5	Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations.	5
6	Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently.	5
7	Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena.	5
8	Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones.	5
9	Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles.	5
10	Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge.	4
11	Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments.	5
12	Having consciousness about human rights and environment.	4
13	Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning.	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	30
Project	1	20
Term Paper	1	40
Attendance		10
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	4	64
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	2	32
Mid-terms	1	4	4
Assignments	4	4	16
Final examination	1	5	5
Other	1	4	4
Total Work Load:			125
Total Work Load/25(h):			5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER