Certificate in Community Work Policy and Practice
14 & 15 August, 6 & 7 November 2008
4 seminars 10am–4pm
Faculty of Education & Social Work (A35)
The University of Sydney, Camperdown
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Overview
Rationale
This course aims to develop the student's ability to engage in current debates concerning community work. The focus will be on:
- current community work practice in government and non-government settings
- current government policy in relation to communities and community work
- theoretical approach to community work and community development
- application of community work theory and practice
- critical reflection and analytical skills, and
- academic research and writing skills.
Active use of student experiences will be encouraged and facilitated throughout.
Timetable
| Date | Content | Suggested Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Aug | History of community work and community development in Australia; Different theories and practice of community work; Current key debates | Kenny. (2007) Chapters 1–3; Ife & Tesoriero. (2006) Chapters 1–4 |
| 15 Aug | Student presentations: "Community work in my organisation"; Linking theory to practice |
Ife & Tesoriero. (2006) Chapters 5–7; Kenny. (2007) Chapters 5–7 |
| 6 Nov | Comparative perspectives: what we can learn from international experiences | IACD website; Fauri, et al. (2008); Ife & Tesoriero. (2006) Chapter 8 |
| 7 Nov | Future challenges and opportunities for community practice in Australia | Ife & Tesorerio (2006) Chapters 10–11; Kenny. (2007) Chapters 10–11 |
Desired outcomes
By completion of this course students should be able to:
- understand the historical context of contemporary community work practice and its relation to social work
- describe the policy context of contemporary community work practice
- critically reflect on the relationship between theory and practice in a range of settings (government, local government, non-government, volunteer), and
- contribute to debates concerning future directions in community work practice, including their own.
Assessment & Accreditation
To successfully complete this course students need to attend all four sessions.
Students may take this course as a stand-alone module; or they have the option of having it accredited as one Unit of Study (SCWK6910) towards a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters degree offered by the faculty.
This second option entails undertaking two assessment tasks and carries an additional fee for marking and administration. If interested, please discuss this further with the Course Coordinator, Dr Margot Rawsthorne.
Fees & Enrolment
Per person, GST inclusive
Course only: $800
Course + assessment tasks (equiv. to Unit of Study SCWK6910): $1200
Download a flyer with enrolment form
Contact Us
Academic Coordinator
Dr Margot Rawsthorne
| Phone: 9036 9313
Administration
Ms Margaret Day
| Phone: 9351 7031
Suggested Reading & Resources
General reading
There is no set text for this course although you are encouraged to read at least one of these books. Here are some suggestions of books that you might want to look at or buy:
Fauri, D., Wernet, S. & Netting, F. (2008) Cases in Macro Social Work Practice, 3rd ed., Boston: Pearson Education, Allyn and Bacon
Ife, J. & Tesoriero, F. (2006) Community Development. Community-based alternatives in an age of globalisation, 3rd ed., Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia
Kenny, S. (2007) Developing communities for the future, 3rd ed., Melbourne: Thomson
Rubin, H. & Rubin, I. (2008) Community organizing and development, 4th ed., Boston: Pearson Education, Allyn and Bacon
Weeks, W., Hoatson, L. & Dixon, J. (2003) Community Practices in Australia, Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia
Journals
New Community Quarterly: available at www.newcq.org
Community Development Journal: available on-line via the library
Some websites of interest
iacdglobal.org.au
communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au, particularly the discussion forums
facs.gov.au, particularly case studies of community initiatives
community.nsw.gov.au
sustainability.dpc.wa.gov.au
communitypartnerships.health.gov.au
acoss.org.au, non-government organisations perspectives
ncoss.org.au, non-government organisations perspectives
bankofideas.com.au, commercial perspectives