1. A Reflective Report of 2,000 words or equivalent, weighted at 25% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3)
2. An Individual Presentation (15 minutes) weighted at 25% (Learning Outcomes 4, 6)
3. A final Assignment of 3,500 words, weighted at 50% (Learning Outcomes 2, 5, 6)
The final work the student will undertake/hand in/be assessed on: 3

Note: Each component must be passed in order to complete the module

This module explores asset-based approaches to community development, with reference to various sociological concepts that illuminate work with people in local communities, including culture and subculture, power, empowerment and participation. Attention is given to issues of social diversity and inclusion, and development of anti-oppressive practice. Students are introduced to some research methods to enable them to carry out a community audit and asset mapping. They examine various approaches and strategies to educate communities, explore methods and skills essential to organizing communities, and investigate projects and partnerships to enable entrepreneurial communities. The mission of the church is introduced to provide a theological perspective on human community.

Contact hours will consist of interactive lectures, discussion, group work and critical debate. Guided independent study will include reading and research (100 hours), keeping a reflective professional development journal (24 hours), writing a reflective report (36 hours), preparing for a presentation (36 hours), and writing an essay (64 hours).

Oasis College Library with e-portal for remote access
On-line resources via Blackboard through Staffordshire University
On-line access to Staffordshire University Library and books order system
Access to ICT resources at Oasis College

Banks, R. (1994), Paul’s Idea of Community. 2nd edition, Peabody, MS; Hendrickson.
Bauman, Z. (2001), Community. London; Polity Press.
Bauman, Z. & May, T. (2001), Thinking Sociologically. 2nd edition, Oxford; Blackwell.
Block, P. (2008), Community: The Structure of Belonging. San Francisco, CA; Berrett-Koehler.
Borrup, T. (2006), The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook: How to Transform Communities Using Local Assets, Arts, and Culture. St Paul, MN; Fieldstone Alliance Publishing Centre.
Bretherton, L. (2014), Resurrecting Democracy: Faith, Citizenship, and the Politics of a Common Life. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Friere, P. (1996), Pedagogy of the Oppressed. 2nd revised edition, London; Penguin.
Gornick, M. R. (2002), To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Green, G. P. & Haines, A. L. (2016), Asset Building & Community Development. 4th revised edition, Thousand Oaks, CA & London; Sage Publications.
Ledwith, M. (2016), Community Development in Action: Putting Freire into Practice. Bristol & Chicago, Policy Press.
Twelvetrees, A. (2008), Community Work. 4th edition, London: Palgrave.
Wenger, E. (1998), Communities of Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Winlow, S. & Hall, S. (2013), Rethinking Social Inclusion. London: Sage.

1. DEMONSTRATE ADVANCED AWARENESS OF, AND SENSITIVITY TO, SOCIAL DIVERSITY, SOCIAL INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT IN COMMUNITIES
[Knowledge and Understanding; Enquiry; Reflection]

2. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THEORIES CONCERNING THE POWER AND INEQUALITY EVIDENT WITHIN COMMUNITIES
[Learning; Analysis]

3. WORK SENSITIVELY WITH PEOPLE, GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES TO FACILITATE EMPOWERING INTERVENTIONS SO THAT PEOPLE AND GROUPS MAY GAIN A VOICE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
[Application; Problem Solving]

4. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THEORIES OF EDUCATION AND EMPLOY THEM TO DEVELOP PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY LEARNING
[Learning; Analysis; Application]

5. FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTIVE COLLECTIVE ACTION OF PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THOUGH ORGANIZATIONAL AND/OR ENTREPRENEURIAL INITIATIVES
[Communication; Application; Problem Solving]

6. DEMONSTRATE A HIGH LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS, BOTH VERBALLY AND IN WRITING [Communication; Reflection]