Discarded Thesis Topics

these are NOT official Open University Web pages

My experience as a student in:

Development Studies:
Human, Community and Environmental

TU874: Discarded Thesis Topics

For my eventual Master's Degree in Development Studies at Open University, my last course was TU874 The Development Management Project, completed by October 2005 and graded in December. This course involved writing a 10,000 word paper on a development subject of my choice. I chose "The impact, challenges and factors for success in using live theater in development activities."

Below is a list of subjects I was considering for this final paper. I compiled information on these topics when I was considering them, and am happy to share with others the resources I compiled. I also may write about them in the future (but not anytime before 2006):

A comparison of (three? five?) organizations serving the developing world involving online volunteers through UNV's Online Volunteering service, the factors for success and challenges in their involvement of online volunteers, and as the impact of this involvement on meeting their missions.
A comparison of five volunteering experiences, of one year or more, affiliated with the United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS), the factors for success and challenges in their onsite involvement, and as the impact of this involvement on meeting missions of the organizations or initiatives to which they contributed.
A comparison of three-five volunteering programs focused on applying information communications technology (ICT) in the developing world and their factors for success. The programs could include any or all of the following, pending permission: UN Volunteers, Peace Corps, VSO, and NetCorps Canada.
A comparison of three-five community technology centers/community media centers in the developing world, the challenges they face and ways they address such, and the factors for their success and sustainability, with a particular eye to their involvement of volunteers.
The impact of rumor, myths and "urban legends" on development interventions, and ways such have been addressed in three-five situations (note: I continue to research this topic, even though I did not choose it for my Master's project).

Also see:

OU development courses I have taken in pursuit of my MSc in Development Management
My advice for studying and preparing assignments and for exams in the OU development management courses.
Highlights and resources from the research for my final paper for my Master's Degree, regarding "Theater as a Tool for Development".
why I decided to go for a post graduate degree, for those of you who are even barely considering such, as well as for those who might be considering choosing Open University.

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