Teaching room with PCs, Interactive white board, access to Learning Resource Centre.
Moodle

The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 300 learning hours (including assessment). This will include 48 hours of class support and 252 hours of self-directed study. The 48 hours of class support will include lectures, seminars, presentations, case studies, guest lectures and peer review. The 252 hours of self directed study and independent learning will include guided reading and web-based research, preparation for class based activities and the research and writing of the report.

Barker, D. (2008) Rural Settlements Philip Allan updates
Sarkissian, W. & Vajda, S., Hofer, N., Shore, Y. (2008) Kitchen Table Sustainability: Practical Recipes for Community Engagement with Sustainability.
Smith, M. J.& Pangsapa, P. (2008) Environment and Citizenship: Integrating Justice, Responsibility and Civic Engagement. Zed Books: London.
Stoecker, R. R. (2005) Research Methods for Community Change: A Project-Based Approach. Sage: London.
Nichols, A., Laros, J. (2009) Inside the Civano Project (GreenSource Books): A Case Study of Large-Scale Sustainable Neighborhood Development, Mcgraw-Hill.

Undertake a community-based pilot research project that explores attempts to empower individuals and groups and the barriers to inclusion and involvement faced by individuals and groups in contemporary communities.

Formative Assessment
Presentation in group seminar (10 min). Students will present their selected research topics to a peer seminar group, using this opportunity to enhance project design and choice of community engagement tools. There will also be a series of formative exercises within and alongside the weekly lectures to provide the students with opportunities to develop their understanding of the principles of effective partnerships. There will also be opportunities to submit report plans for feedback.

Summative Assessment
Report (3,000 words) documenting the aims, design, findings and implications of the research project. The project should utilise appropriate community research methods and tools and explore the experiences of groups and individuals in relation to creating sustainable communities. Students must also submit a reflective statement within the report (100%) (LO1-4).

People are integral to any community and this module explores the increasing emphasis on citizen and community empowerment. Students will learn techniques of working with individuals and groups of stakeholders in sustainable communities in the context of workplaces or work-based/work-related learning. Students will consider the social impact of worklessness in particular and the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by diverse and special groups, for example BME groups, disabled residents, and older or younger people. They will also evaluate the extent to which affected groups are supported by local:

- Planning and governance
- Housing policy and availability
- Service provision
- Connectivity
- Economy
- Employment opportunities

and the extent to which such groups can positively contribute to the social capital of sustainable communities.

Fundamental principles of effective partnership working will be introduced and students will need to demonstrate their ability to empathically engage with groups and individuals and effectively communicate concepts and ideas. This will include selecting appropriate communication, research methodologies and data collection methods, engagement tools and strategies that take into account the experiences and preferences potential participants, including skills levels and consultation fatigue.

Crucially, this module will also reinforce the ethical considerations of working with others during projects, research and work-based learning and the essential need to safeguard vulnerable people at all times. These include gaining informed consent from participants, confidentially, the right to withdraw, data protection and briefing and debriefing. All assignments will be subject to Staffordshire University's ethical approval process.