Participatory Learning and Action:
Tools for Community Development
in 2013
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Content Overview
Community empowerment and community participation are crucial in order to achieve sustainability of any community health programme.
This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in participatory learning and action (PLA) methods and to understand and apply the theoretical foundations of PLA to primary health care.
Firstly, this course will look at theoretical perspectives, e.g. critical theory that can be used to inform an action-oriented primary health care approach. Students will have the opportunity to apply these theories in a practical public health situation.
Secondly, students learn various PLA methods, e.g. ranking, community mapping, time lines, Venn diagrams, visioning and role plays, which can be used for planning, monitoring and evaluation of community health programmes. This aims to develop the practical skills of students in the application of these methods. Close attention is paid to maintaining cultural, gender and human rights aspects.
Thirdly, case studies to apply PLA methods to conceptual management approaches will be discussed. This enables students to enhance capabilities and skills necessary to critically appraise and apply PLA methods in planning, monitoring and evaluation of community health programmes.
Learning Objectives
- Articulate an understanding of theoretical considerations underpinning participatory learning and action (PLA) methods
- Differentiate the principles of underlying participatory, collaborative and action-oriented approaches and discuss their interrelationship with the PHC concept
- Articulate the role of PLA methods in processes such as planning, monitoring and evaluation of community health programmes (including emergencies, MCH, nutrition, HIV, urban public health, CBR/mental health)
- Critique examples in the application of PLA methods in terms of cultural, gender and human rights aspects
- Apply PLA methods to conceptual management approaches such as logical framework and impact analysis
- Review critically the concept and methods in terms of opportunities and limitations of the approach
- Apply PLA methods in the design of a community health programme addressing a specific health issue
Learning Methods
Throughout the course, interactive participatory experiential learning methods will be applied with solution based, learner centered teaching approaches.
Theoretical perspectives and key concepts are addressed in interactive lectures (12 hours). Individual reading and assignments (journal club discussion) will deepen this knowledge (8 hours)
Practical skills of the application of PLA methods are developed in small groups in relation to planning, monitoring and evaluation of a community health programme (25 hours)
Furthermore, the students will conduct a critical appraisal of case studies using PLA approaches (15 hours, on individual basis, at the end of the face to face course).
Assessment Methods
As the emphasis of this course is on practical learning,
20% continuous assessment will be based on active class participation,
40% on small group presentations on planning a community development programme using PLA methods.
20% on a ‘journal club’ discussion of 2 scientific publications that reports on PLA (individual presentation)
20% individual written assignment after the end of the course - Essay: Use of PLA methods for impact analysis of a community health programme (1500 -2000 words).
Duration /Accreditation
- 1 week in class 60 hours (12h interactive lecture, 25h facilitated group work, 8h self-study + 15h self-study after the course for written assignment.)
- Full time attendance required.
- 2 ECTS (tropEd; Accreditation in process)
Target Group and Prerequisites
Graduate students at an advanced master level, doctoral students, tropEd students, junior and senior researchers, and consultants actively engaged in research activities.
The course is held in English. Fluency in English (reading, speaking, and writing) is a prerequisite for the course.
Contact Registration
Nandita Rothermund, M.A.
Short Courses in International Health
Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D-69120 Heidelberg
Fon: + 49 - (0) 62 21 - 56 46 48 (Mo-Fri 09-13)
Fax: + 49 - (0) 62 21 - 56 49 18
short.courses@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Course Coordinators
- Prof. Annelies Wilder-Smith
Institute of Public Health
- Dr. Elisabeth Schuele
DIFÄM
If you have content specific questions, please contact Nandita Rothermund, she will forward it to the coordinators.
Short Courses Programme Coordinator
tropEd Coordinator
Natascha Petersen, M.A.
Institute of Public Health
Fon: + 49 - (0) 62 21 - 56 50 48
petersen@uni-hd.de
Course Fee and Registration
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Course Fee
- General Admittance € 750,-;
- tropEd students € 500,-.
Please register as soon as possible as the number of participants is limited.
A non-refundable registration fee of € 200, which will be credited towards the tuition fee, is due no later than 8 weeks prior to the start of the course. The remaining tuition fee is due not later than 6 weeks prior to the start of the course. Unfortunately, no Scholarships are available. If the participant withdraws from the course
- less than 6 weeks prior: 25 % of the course fee will be charged.
- less than 4 weeks prior: 50 % of the course fee will be charged.
- less than 2 weeks prior: the whole course fee will be charged.
The tuition fee covers coursework and printed materials and a bi-weekly pass for the Heidelberg public transportation system, but does not include accommodation, insurance or other personal living costs during the stay.
