Course overview
The aim of this course is to enable students to examine and apply approaches to community work in diverse contexts and understanding how this knowledge can be applied to address contemporary community issues. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of contested notions of community and the diverse models of community work in social work and human service practice. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the politics of community work; relations of power and control in community work and how to engage community members in participation, consultation and collective action. The students will develop knowledge and understanding of International global issues; strategies and tactics in community work; needs assessment; social capital; racism and anti- racist strategies; principles of empowerment and ethical dilemmas in community work; reflexive practice, shared responsibilities and accountability to community/ies, at an advanced level to equip them for professional social work and human service practice with Indigenous and other culturally diverse communities.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate understandings of community work and the contested notions of community in the context of human service work
- Demonstrate understanding of community work processes within a human rights and social justice framework
- Identify and evaluate the various models of community work and examine their basic features and applicability in various settings
- Identify and apply relevant strategies for working collaboratively with community members on issues pertinent to diverse communities