Course Title: Community Work

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Community Work

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
HWSS1139	City Campus	Undergraduate	330H Social Science & Planning	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006
HWSS1139	City Campus	Undergraduate	365H Global, Urban and Social Studies	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Sarah Williams

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 (3) 99251670

Course Coordinator Email: sarah.williams2@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8. Floor 10.

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

Successful completion of HWSS2218 Field Education Integrated Learning 1 and HWSS2220 Social Work Field Education A before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. 

Note it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.  

For your information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage. 

Course Description

This course provides you with a critical introduction to theories and practices for community development in its various forms and contexts. 

These different approaches are utilised by citizens seeking change, as well as by professionals concerned with social justice and sustainability. Within social work theory and practice, community work has been seen as a traditional ‘method’, along with social work with groups, individuals and families, and research and social policy. 

You will explore how community work encompasses a wide variety of activities and practices where people in communities take collective action towards desired social change and development. Different approaches will be investigated including radical social activism and community development approaches, community consultation, community strengthening and regeneration, and community care.  

Please note that if you take this course for a Bachelor Honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a Bachelor Honours program from 1 January 2016 onwards. See the WAM information web page for more information.) 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes  

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:   

• Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on issues of social disadvantage, marginalisation and oppression in both local and international contexts, and proactively work to promote social justice and human rights 
• Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and practical reasoning when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts within the discipline of social work 
• Communicate using diverse formats and strategies to stakeholders within and external to your discipline 
• Work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness while promoting respectful, ethical and reflective practice 

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

1. Identify and analyse the scope and diversity of community practice within the contemporary socio-political context
2. Critically analyse the major perspectives and theories informing community practice
3. Differentiate between a range of contexts for community development: e.g. local, rural, international and organisational contexts
4. Critically assess and evaluate community development strategies
5. Communicate the ways in which community work relates to and complements other methods of social work and international development in both theory and practice

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and/or online such as seminars, workshops, group and class discussion and individual research. The course is designed to balance practical case material and theoretical input, presentations, DVD, guided reading, discussion and reflection, web resources, practice scenarios and your own experiences of community action. 

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. A list of recommended learning resources will be provided, including books, journal articles and web resources. 

You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. 

 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 

Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 
 
Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice. 
 
Assessment Tasks:
Assessment Task 1: Reading review quiz (short answer and multiple choice questions), 20% CLO1, CLO3 and CLO4 
Assessment Task 2: Group facilitation in a Community of Practice and community development activities, 20%, CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO4 and CLO5 
Assessment Task 3: Facilitate a reflective praxis session in your Community of Practice. 20%, CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO4 and CLO5 
Assessment Task 4 Reflective Praxis Essay/Case Study, 2000 words. 40% CLO1, CLO2, CLO 4 and CLO5 
 
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 
 
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.