This is a practical action focussed module, linked to the Civic University Plan and University employability strategy. Students will be tasked with designing, developing and delivering an anti-poverty project, or contributing to a new or ongoing anti-poverty work-based project. Students will either be:
supported via links with the Civic University Network and Staffordshire University Student Volunteering team;
or
supported by the project lead in their work-based placement to plan, deliver and evaluate a project framed around activism and the lived experience of poverty.

This module learning experience offers students a unique opportunity to combine academic critical reflection and practical work-based learning within the supportive environment of the University setting or current work placement. Examples of expected projects might include a local campaign for a group led by lived experience such as Expert Citizens.

Alongside the practical activism, students will have the opportunity to apply the leadership skills learned in the module on Good Governance, Leadership and Management to their project planning for development. Indicative Module Learning Topics Include:
Application of Social Movement Theory and Community Activism.
Project Planning for Development.
Volunteer Management.
Campaigning.

Presentation. End Semester One. LO1
“Deliver a student community action project proposal”
This Assessment will detail either:
the planned Student Community Action Project; aims, objectives, Gannt timeline, risk assessment and project costings;
or
the planned student involvement with a work-based project, including its aims and objectives, risk assessment and project costings

Project Report. End Semester Two. LO2+3
“Student Community Action Evaluation Report”
This Assessment will critically reflect on either:
the student-led community action project;
or
their contribution to a work-based project or placement which will identify key success factors and critically evaluate the project.

Students will be provided with formative assessment via:
- Tutor- facilitated sessions and Peer-review discussion.
- Seminar sessions to develop understanding of various topics.
- Workshop sessions to develop understanding of data used in anti-poverty research.

The VLE Blackboard will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module. Students will be taught using a range of interactive participatory teaching techniques which seek to offer them practical leadership and management experiences, reflecting the Universities employability strategy, to sit alongside their academic learning. A blended learning approach is adopted, which consists of directed and independent study and activity will broadly consist of the following:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (92 hours)
Lectures, seminars and interactive workshops
Group and individual tutorials; and
Module and assessment support

Guided Independent Study: (308 hours)
140 hours reading and research, including blackboard activities and project planning
48 hours preparation for formative tasks
24 hours preparation for tutorials and/or mentoring sessions
96 hours preparation for summative assessment

1.Demonstrate critical understanding of community activism as it relates to the lived experience of poverty in the context of your community action proposal or contribution to a work-based project
Knowledge and Understanding
Learning
Application

2. Critically analyse the success factors associated with project planning for activism and development. Analysis
Problem Solving
Enquiry

3. Critically reflect upon community activism as a social movement and how their project involvement contributes to this.
Reflection

IT access for Blackboard
Library resources

Beck, D. and Purcell, R., 2013. International Community Organising: Taking Power, Making Change. Policy Press.

Cohen, R. ed., 2004. Global social movements. A&C Black.

Goodwin, J. and Jasper, J.M. eds., 2014. The social movements reader: Cases and concepts. John Wiley & Sons.

Potts, D., 2002. Project planning and analysis for development. Lynne Rienner Pub.

An exciting opportunity to design, develop and deliver, or contribute to, an anti-poverty project in your community, ready to begin your career in anti-poverty. This module will offer the opportunity to set your knowledge of the social and political history of activism into practice. The module will integrate the knowledge you will have gained from other modules on the degree to develop a strong foundation in project planning for development, linking communication skills to campaigning and good governance skills to project planning, design, development and delivery.
The module is grounded in the theory of social movements and community activism, which is combined into its strong practical focus.
You will benefit from regular university and/or employer support throughout the module and learning will be assessed via a presentation and final project report reflecting on the successes and impacts of the project undertaken. This will equip you with the strategic agility and competencies to support your career advancement and support you to develop and deliver the skills and confidence in your future career in the anti-poverty field.