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.

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

-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

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]

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