Module Details

Module Code: POLI6003
Title: Community Development
Long Title: Community Development
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3131 - Political Science
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: Community Development is generally understood as a process of bringing people together to achieve a common goal. This goal is usually related to enhancing quality of life. The module charts the history of community development; explores the core principles and theories of community development and related concepts such as collective engagement, empowerment, participation and capacity building alongside an exploration of contemporary debates in community development.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify the history of community development as well as its core principles and theories
LO2 Identify some of the key structures and organisations in the community development field in the Irish, European and International context
LO3 Discuss community development as both a task as well as a process of collective engagement
LO4 Discuss key topics in community development within the contemporary Western political context
LO5 Describe the relevance of community development for community and/or work setting
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
None
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
None
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
None
 
Indicative Content
The Historical Context
The history of community development in the Irish and international context; principles of equality, solidarity; collective engagement, empowerment, participation and capacity building; theories of community development: radical, and consensus perspectives.
Key Actors, Organisations and Structure
The role of key state/supranational actors in community development: (for example, in the domestic/European context: the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the European Union) as well as structures of governance such as Social Partnership and its relevance to community development/work.
Task and Process:
Mobilising effective participation and engagement in community development – the role of task and process.
Key Contemporary Debates
Gender and development; civil society; social capital; cohesion and diversity; globalization and emergent neo-liberal trends.
The Reflective Dimension
Facilitated group learning approaches (underpinned by personal experience and reflection) to highlight the role of effective group work in community work settings.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 4 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
In class assessment - the topic (s) given in Week 2
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 65
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Assessment Description
Essay/Assignment - for example, on the subject of community development as both a task and a process of collective engagement
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 15
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
Reflection
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture/workshop Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study and reading Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture/workshop Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study and reading Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Phillips, R. and R. Pittman. (2015), An Introduction to Community Development, 2nd. Ch. 1 - 5, Routledge, London and New York, [ISBN: 9780415773843].
  • Jackson, A. and C. O'Doherty (Eds). (2012), Community Development in Ireland - Theory, Policy and Practice, First. Gill and MacMillan, Dublin, p.256, [ISBN: 978071714974].
  • Ledwith, M.. (2011), Community Development: A Critical Approach, 2nd. Ch. 1 - 3 and 7 - 9, Policy Press, University of Bristol, [ISBN: 9781847426468].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Wilkinson, R. and K. Pickett. (2010), The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger, 2010. Ch. 13 - 16, Bloomsbury Publishing, London, [ISBN: 978160819341].
  • Powell, F. and M. Geoghegan. (2004), The Politics of Community Development: Reclaiming Civil Society or Reinventing Governance, A&A Farmer, Dublin, p.256, [ISBN: 978189904777].
  • Bill Cooke and Uma Kothari (Editors). (2001), Participation: The New Tyranny?, 4th. Ch. 1 - 3, Zed Books, London, [ISBN: 9781856497947].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Hautekeur, G.. (2005), Community Development in Europe, Oxford University Press and Community Development Journal, Vol 40, 4, p.13, [ISSN: 1468-2656].
  • Powell, F. and M. Geoghegan. (2006), Community Development, Partnership Governance and Dilemmas of Professionalisation: Profiling and Assessing the Case of Ireland, The British Journal of Social Worker, Vol 36, 5, p.16, [ISSN: 1468-263X].
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HCOED_7 Bachelor of Arts in Community Development 1 Mandatory
CR_HCOED_6 Higher Certificate in Arts in Community Development 1 Mandatory