Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Introduction to Community Work

• Unit Code

  CSV1101

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to a range of models of working with communities. Distinctions are made between the community work processes used in service provision; events organisation; social and political activism; community development; leadership development; and social impact assessment. The unit provides an introduction to working with local communities associated with the natural environment; the built environment; the economic environment; the personal and social environment; and the arts and cultural environment.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CBS1104, CBS1106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Critically examine the applicability of community work processes to a range of client groups.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the skills and processes relevant to community work.
3. Describe the history and contemporary field of community work.
4. Distinguish between the community work processes used in advocacy, service provision; events organisation; social and political activism; community development; leadership development; and social impact assessment.
5. Identify and analyse the power structures at a local level and understand their influence on community based practice.
6. Recognise which community work processes are most appropriate for particular projects aimed at the enrichment and sustainability of a range of local communities, including those associated with natural, built, economic, social and personal, and arts and cultural environments.

Unit Content

1. Models of community work, methods in community work practice including processes used in; Service provision, events organisation, social and political activism, community development, leadership development, social impact assessment and Government/Community/Integrated local area planning.
2. Practice; Community analysis across natural, physical, economic, personal and cultural environments. Community based research, including Social Impact Assessment. Running public meetings and community consultations. Strategic partnerships: identifying stakeholders and building alliances.
3. Skills; An overview of the range of skills that can be called upon for work in and with communities. These include relationship, empowerment, influence and negotiation skills.
4. The heart of Community well being, the field of community work and its history. Power relationships in community work: Difference, diversity and conflict.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and Skills Workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Muirhead, T. (2002). Weaving tapestries: A handbook for building communities. Perth: Local Government Community Services Association of WA.
• ^ Taylor, J., Wilkinson, D., Cheers, B. (2008). Working with communities in health and human services. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
• Weeks, W., Hoatson, L., & Dixon, J. (2003). Community practices in Australia. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.
• Edgar, D. (2001). The patchwork nation. Rethinking government - re-building community. Sydney: Harper Collins Publishers.
• Ife, J., & Tesoriero, F. (2006). Community development: Community based alternatives in an age of globalisation (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.
• Kenny, S. (2006). Developing communities for the future. South Melbourne, Vic: Thomson.
• Mawson, A. (2008). The social entrepreneur: Making communities work. London: Atlantic.
• Bauman, Z. (2000). Liquid modernity. Cambridge; Malden, Mass: Polity Press.
• Maton, K., Schellenbach, C., Leadbetter, B., & Solarz, A. (2003). Investing in children, youth, families and communities: Strengths-based research and policy. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
• Clarke, S. (2000). Social work as community development: A management model for social change (2nd ed.). Aldershot, Hampshire, England; Burlington, Vt.: Ashgate.

^ Mandatory reference

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