Evaluation for Sustainable Development

Module description

This module provides a theoretical perspective and practical skills and training with reference to the current shift in international development from millennium development goals to sustainable development goals. Students will gain insight in the origins of the concept of sustainable development and its translation into multilateral environmental agreements and more recently the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030. The module provides a wide range of options for evaluation of sustainable development and aims to enable students to identify and select evaluative strategies and techniques to tackle sustainable development policies, programmes and interventions at different levels and scales. Students are encouraged to reach a systematic understanding of environmental, societal and economic processes of change to enable them to apply specific solutions to evaluation challenges. The module will critically reflect on how evidence on sustainability can be presented to different audiences and to stakeholders and decision makers.

Assessment details

Group Presentation (35%); Group Essay 2,500 words (65%)

Educational aims & objectives

On completion of this module students should be able to:

• Understand the interaction between environmental, human and economic impact drivers, and how these lead to sustainable or unsustainable development over time;
• Appreciate the international actions taken so far to ensure environmental sustainability in relation to development, including the concept of "common but differentiated responsibilities";
• Critically assess the impact of environmental, human and economic policies and actions on the sustainability of development;
• Appreciate the role of evaluation in providing substantial evidence on the sustainability of policies and actions, not only for the public sector but for the private sector and civil society initiatives as well;
• Identify and define evaluation approaches to complex processes of environmental, human and economic change;
• Appreciate the trends in international development in which the concept of sustainable development operates and is able to position and communicate the evaluation approach in this framework and to different audiences.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module students are expected to:

• Have developed their understanding of key foundational concepts in international development evaluation.
• Critically understand the alternative ways that evaluations can focus on the sustainability of societies, economies in their interaction with the environment.
• Analyse and compare the strengths and weaknesses of differing approaches and methodologies to tackle evaluation questions.
• Identify how and when evaluative evidence can make a difference in decision making in the public sector, private sector and civil society.
• Demonstrate an ability to incorporate interaction and outreach on evaluation findings.

Teaching pattern

1 hour lecture and 1 hours seminar over 10 weeks or 2 hour workshop over 10 weeks

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.