POLI07004 2022 Community Development and Local Government

General Details

Full Title
Community Development and Local Government
Transcript Title
CDLG
Code
POLI07004
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
POLI - Policy Studies
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
07 - Level 7
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Elizabeth Haran, Breda McTaggart, Brenda Feeney, Ailise McDowell, Sinead Barrins
Programme Membership
SG_HJOIN_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology and Politics
Description

This module will explore the principles of community development, incorporating both its economic, political, social and cultural contexts and the philosophies and practices that underpin it. On one hand community development can be described as collective engagement, a process of bringing people together to achieve a common goal, on the other hand it can be described as a force for empowerment, encouraging shared capacity building, enhancing social capital and developing structures of participative governance. This module will introduce the principles and practices and provide students with an understanding of contemporary debates in community development.

The module also addresses questions around the role of local government in Ireland today, its policy development and administrative duties and explores the dynamic between the forces of representative and participative democracy at a local level.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Identify and discuss the key values and theoretical perspectives that underpin community development practice.

2.

Examine the historical development of community development within the Irish context and identify key contemporary topics with the community development sector.

3.

Appraise the role of local government in Ireland today.

4.

Critically reflect on the contribution of community development practices to local communities, the enhancement of social capital and to wider civil society.

5.

Develop a community profile. 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching and learning strategies will include principles of UDL, incorporating role play, case studies, group discussion, small group activities, class field trip with the supports of the IT’s VLE.

Module Assessment Strategies

The assessment strategy will consist of an area based community profile. This Profile is designed to apply community work theory and to develop work skills such as data gathering, analysis, networking and collaboration. The profile will also assess the contribution of local government planning and services to the profile area.

Repeat Assessments

Repeat assessment will be developed based on failed components.

Indicative Syllabus

LO 1: Identify and discuss the key values and theoretical perspectives that underpin community development practice.

The module will introduce the concepts of community and community development. The principles and practices underpinning community development work will be explored.Theoretical frameworks, in particular the works of Friere, Gramsci, Foucault and Hall will be explored in how they relate to our understanding and practice of community development. 

LO 2: Examine the historical development of community development within the Irish context and identify key contemporary topics with the community development sector.

The historical evolution of community development will be outlined with a particular focus on its emergence within an Irish socio-political, economic and cultural context.

LO 3: Appraise the role of local government in Ireland today.

Politics at a local level: the competing roles of participative and representative democracy in local level governance will be explored.  This section of the module will outline the role of local government in policy development and public administration in Ireland. Recent initiatives around local government reform will be appraised.

LO 4: Critically reflect on the contribution of community development practices to local communities, the enhancement of social capital and to wider civil society.

We will explore the role of the Community and Voluntary sector, the wider civil society and its contribution to policy development,  advocacy and the role of social partnership. Case studies will be used to examine national and international best practice. An examination of the role of community development in addressing issues of inequality and its important contribution to social capital will be appraised.

LO 5: Develop a Community Profile.

Students will develop a community profile, familiarising themselves with key socio-economic indicators, using data sources and the analysis of such data.

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Theoretical Blog Coursework Assessment Assessment 15 % Week 4 1
2 Community profile Coursework Assessment Project 85 % Week 13 2,3,4,5
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Not Specified Lecture 2 Weekly 2.00
Tutorial Flat Classroom Tutorial 1 Weekly 1.00
Off-Site Activity Offsite Facility Site Visit - Local Government 0 Once Per Semester 0.00
Off-Site Activity Offsite Facility Site Visit - Community project 0 Once Per Semester 0.00
Independent Learning Offsite Facility IL 3 Weekly 3.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 3.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2018-09 Local Government in the Republic of Ireland
ISBN 1910393231 ISBN-13 9781910393239
Required Reading
2015-12-16 Community Development in Action Policy Press
ISBN 9781847428752 ISBN-13 1847428754

This exciting and practical book is filled to the brim with useful ideas for busy practitioners. Building on the work of Paulo Freire, theories are presented in interesting and straightforward ways to provide an everyday reference for practice.

Required Reading
2008-07-15 Community Work Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN 1403949999 ISBN-13 9781403949998

In the fourth edition of this book Alan Twelvetrees has brought thoroughly up to date his international best seller Community Work. He describes both theory and practice in a highly readable and honest way, drawing on his own professional experience and mistakes and addressing the needs of community workers at field level, of managers, and of students. The section on specialist community work has been expanded and updated, while the last chapter, again drawing on practice, presents a well worked out case for placing community work at the center of neighborhood renewal, and is a "must" for urban and rural regeneration professionals.

Required Reading
2012-03-30 Community Development in Ireland Gill Education
ISBN 0717149749 ISBN-13 9780717149742

A new textbook introducing the theories and practices of community development in Ireland, with particular reference to the effects of social and economic policies within this context. This practical exploration of community development in Ireland ensures the reader will: understand community and social change in Ireland; recognise and value community development as a powerful force for social change in Ireland; critically appraise the policy environment influencing community development and the interrelationship between policy and practice; utilise the knowledge and skills necessary for effective and sustainable community development; determine current issues and challenges in this area and offer effective solutions to address these issues and challenges. Reflects the current theoretical conceptualisations, the latest policy implications, models of best practice and frameworks that are currently shaping community development projects and programmes in Ireland. Includes case studies that showcase examples of positive community development and bring a practical and insightful dimension to this text. Contains contributions from leading academics, practitioners and community groups in Ireland. Written For: Undergraduate and postgraduate students of: Youth and Community Studies Community Developmentand Education Community and Family Studies Rural Development Social Work Social Studies Social Science Applied Social Care Social Care Practice

Required Reading
2016-03-30 The Short Guide to Community Development 2e Policy Press
ISBN 9781447327837 ISBN-13 1447327837

Interest in the topic of community and how local communities can be supported to take control of their lives, services and environment continues to ride high on the public agenda in many parts of the world. Now in its second edition, this invaluable guide provides an introduction to community development, its origins and the different forms it takes. It has been updated to reflect developments in policy and practice, as well as recent debates about the changing nature of community development itself. Crucially, it explores how community development can be applied in different policy areas, examines trends and the challenges it faces. Accessibly written, this is essential reading for students studying a degree or taking a module in this field, as well as those already involved in community development and community organising.

Required Reading
2011-04-27 Community Development (second Edition) Policy Press
ISBN 9781847426468 ISBN-13 1847426468

This updated and expanded second edition of a bestselling text develops critiques of the changing context and identifies challenges faced by community development.

Required Reading
2010 Key Concepts in Community Studies SAGE
ISBN 9781412928434 ISBN-13 1412928435

This book defines the current identity of community studies, provides a critical but reliable introduction to its key concepts, and is an engaging guide to the key social research methods used by community researchers and practitioners. Concise but clear, it caters for the needs of those interested in community studies by offering cross-referenced, accessible overviews of the key theoretical issues that have the most influence on community studies today. It incorporates all of the important frames of reference including those which are theoretical, research focused, practice and policy oriented, political, and concerned about the place of community in everyday life.

Required Reading
2001 Lovers of Liberty?
ISBN 0954075013 ISBN-13 9780954075019

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources

Jackson, A. & O’Doherty, C. (2012) Community Development in Ireland: Theory, Policy & Practice. Gill & MacMillan: Dublin.

Ledwith, M. (2011) Community Development: A Critical Approach (2nd.ed). Polity Press: Bristol.

Powell, F. & Geoghegan (2004) The Politics of Community Development: Reclaiming Civil Society or Reinventing Governance. A & A Farmar: Dublin.

Twelvetrees, A. (2008) Community Work. Palgrave Macmillan: UK

Hawtin, M. & Percy-Smith, J. (2007) Community Profiling: A Practical Guide. Open University Press: Maidenhead, England.

Callinan, M(2018) Local Government in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin:IPA

Journal Resources
URL Resources

Community Work Ireland -http://eucdn.net/members/community-workers-co-operative/

Social Justice Ireland - https://www.socialjustice.ie/

Pobal Maps - https://maps.pobal.ie/

CSO Data - https://www.cso.ie/en/index.html

Airo All-Ireland Research Observatory - https://airo.maynoothuniversity.ie/

Western Development Commission - https://westerndevelopment.ie/

https://data.gov.ie/

Other Resources
Additional Information

None.