The essays will require you to demonstrate the reading of relevant texts and use of other sources in order to demonstrate your critical understanding of (1) the national and (2) the international political contexts of community practice.

The module will explore three themes: the social and regeneration policies associated with community practice, the UK political context within which community practice takes place, and the international context of community practice. The policy theme will explore the policy-making process as well as specific examples of social and regeneration policies relevant to those undertaking community practice. The theme of the UK domestic political context will investigate the institutional context in which community practice is based, exploring the links between local, regional, national and European level institutions. The international theme will analyse the cross-national comparative context of community practice, studying community practice and community development in other countries.

This module incorporates three inter-related learning strategies. The six day-long workshops will be used for the consideration of core issues and themes relating to the policies and politics of community practice. The tutorials will allow discussion of the individual research students are undertaking to prepare their assignments. The independent study will allow reading around selected topics, the development of individual responses to the reading and the preparation for the work-based case studies.

Internet, where you will find relevant web-sites.
Library, where you will find relevant textbooks, journals, and audio-visual materials.

Newman, J. (2001) Modernising Governance: New Labour, Policy, and Society, (London: Sage).

Social Impact (n/a) The Zambia HIV/AIDS Project: Case Study of Participatory Project Design, Reston, VA: Social Impact.

Temple, M. (2000) How Britain Works: From Ideology to Output Politics, London: Macmillan.