The aim of this module is to explore participation and social change as expressed through communities. It will investigate the community-based context for youth work and ministry; and support students to undertake an audit of their local/faith community. Concepts of church and community will be critically considered, along with the notions of local and civil society. The role of the youth worker/minister will be questioned in relation to how they deal with power, empowerment and democratic engagement within local/faith communities.

The syllabus for this module will include key aspects of applied subject knowledge, including:
-Investigation of the meaning and practice of community
-Theorisations of local society, civil society and the impact of social policy
-Power, empowerment and democratic engagement in youth work and ministry
-Ecclesiology and the role of the youth worker/minister
-The relationship of young people to communities and the church

This module will include the use of four learning strategies:
-A series of weekly taught sessions involving traditional lecturing and seminars that will introduce and explore the applied subject knowledge
-Student investigations in to the social demographics of local/faith communities
-Individual and group tutorials to support learning progression
-The continued use of an on-line portfolio to aid reflective practice/evidence professional competency related to the required fieldwork hours (74) during this module.

Module content and assessment will support the identification of evidence for youth work and ministry competencies: 3.1; 3.2; 6.2.

Ballard, Paul H., & Husselbee, Lesley, (2007), Community and Ministry: An Introduction to Community Work in a Christian Context. London: SPCK.
Checkoway, B. and Gutierrez, L. (2006) Youth Participation and Community Change. New York: The Hamworth Press
Church of England (2006) Youth A Part. London: Church House Publishing
Fitzsimmons, A, Hope, M. And Russel, K. (2011) Empowerment and Participation in Youth Work. Exeter: Learning Matters
Gilchrist, A. (2004) The Well-Connected Community. Bristol: Policy Press
Henderson, P. And Thomas, D. (2005) Skills in Neighbourhood Work (3rd edition). Abingdon: Routledge
Nash, S., Pimlott, J. and Nash, P. (2008) Skills for Collaborative Ministry. SPCK: London
Packham, C. (2008) Active Citizenship and Community Learning. Exeter: Learning Matters
Sudworth, T. (2007) Mission-shaped youth. Rethinking young people and the church. London: Church House Publishing

-Oasis College Library with e-portal for remote access
-On-line portfolio via Pebble Pad through Staffordshire University student account
-On-line access to Staffordshire University Library and books order system
-Access to ICT resources at Oasis College
-Access to a range of lecture and meeting rooms with interactive technology/resources

A full CRB clearance is required for commencing the module due to the practice requirements relating to work with young people and vulnerable adults.

Students must pass all elements.

The audit report will require students to research, collect and assess key data on their local/faith community.[Learning Outcomes 1,2,4]

The essay will require students to show a critical awareness of the role of a youth worker/minister in the life of a local/faith community.[Learing Outcomes 1,3,4]