CDS 1000 Introduction to Community Welfare and Development

STAFFING:

SYNOPSIS:

An introduction to key issues and principles in the community work environment recognizing trends to increased competition for funding, demands for accountability, demand for services, responsiveness to social and cultural diversity, enhanced administrative, management, liaison and advocacy capabilities. Many of the fundamental skills and attitudes and much of the basic knowledge required is common for workers in varied social settings and various community services including carers, workers with Indigenous, refugee or immigrant communities; workers in women's shelters; youth workers and self-help groups. Emerging initiatives covered include principles of rights based development, empowerment, community rather than individual approaches, enhancing social capital and giving voice to the disadvantaged through advocacy. The course provides students with insights across a range of disciplines and sectors preparing them to contribute effectively to responsive, trans-disciplinary teams and adapt to emerging initiatives in working in community organisations or community development work with marginalized groups in Australian society.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate oral and written skills in the analysis and discussion of key principles and issues of community welfare and development
2. Critically analyse social, economic, cultural and political contexts as they pertain to the community sector
3. Define community development and distinguish between various modes of response to marginalized groups
4. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant aspects of Australian Social Policy
5. Demonstrate competence in various professional skills including preparing submissions, accessing resources, publicity and lobbying strategies, volunteer involvement.
6. Evaluate a range of community development strategies appropriate to a context
7. Display a grasp of the role and scope of NGOs and community organisations in society

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Given objective 1, students are strongly advised to attend tutorial classes. Contributions will be graded on relevance, evidence of preparatory reading, quality of ideas and coherence of oral expression.

2.

Exam will be scheduled during exam period at the end of Semester

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To be assured of completing each assessment item satisfactorily a student must submit all of the items of summative assessment by the due date and achieve on each the minimum specified standards outlined in 4 (Requirements for a pass in the course).
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing the examination and assignments; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks for all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is a CLOSED EXAMINATION, and candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES