This unit (ASA5001) critically reviews a variety of contemporary community development perspectives. The focus is upon understanding the context of international social, economic and political development. Students will critique how they understand their own positionality and how their views have been shaped by the dominant economic paradigm. The unit focuses also on various development frameworks and their approaches to environmental sustainability, equality and human rights. Further, the unit engages learners in a self-critique as global actors in development and social change. Students interrogate practices in poverty reduction, marginalisation, community organisation and conscientisation, to develop clarity of their own praxis.

Unit details

Location:
Footscray Park
Study level:
Postgraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
ASA5001

Prerequisites

Nil.

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Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Advocate their own position and motivation to undertake community development work;  
  2. Commentate upon key principles of community development in international and local contexts;  
  3. Deconstruct contemporary development-related issues; and  
  4. Interrogate the roles of culture, politics, economy and different social contexts in community development.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Review Review an item in the unit reading list. 20%
Presentation Lead class discussion and analysis of article/chapter reviewed. 15%
Journal Debate on a Community Development Key Concept 15%
Essay Perspectives on theory and practice. 50%

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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