Details for SSC515 Group and Community Work

Exploring group and community dynamics in this unit offers valuable insights into influencing change and fostering individual growth within a community context. You will engage with principles of community leadership and group processes, applying them practically in class-based settings. This subject provides a robust framework for ethical and professional practice in community work, enhancing your ability to critically reflect on and improve your methods.

Quick Stats

• Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
• Course code: SSC515
• Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Prerequisite

The following subject may be completed as a pre-requisite or co-requisite:

• SSC413 Interpersonal Communication Skills

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Develop an understanding of group and community principles and processes and how they can influence change processes;
2. Examine group and community principles and processes in small group, class-based contexts;
3. Critically analyse past and current group and community experiences alongside your class and personal research to understand your current practice and develop personal development plans;
4. Demonstrate the ability to identify ethical and professional issues arising in group or community work and to apply a professional framework to effectively handle these issues.

Subject Content

• Introduction, understanding community work and group work
• Experiential learning
• Goals: START goals, Interdependence
• Group Communication: Sending & Receiving, Communication networks, Roles, Seating positions, Humour
• Leadership
• Power: Constructive vs. destructive power, Dynamic interdependence, Trait theory, Social Exchange Theory
• Decision making
• Controversy Theory, Creativity Theory
• Managing conflicts of interest, Negotiations
• Valuing diversity, Managing barriers
• Cooperative groups: Formal, informal, base
• Leading growth & counselling groups, Types of therapeutic groups, Team building

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Onsite (face-to-face)
• Online (eLearning)
• Intensives
• Extensives

This subject typically has both online pre-recorded lectures AND mandatory online-live components.

Please check the timetable to see when this subject will next be offered at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Learning Portfolio (40%)
• Exam (20%)
• Group Facilitation and Reflection (40%)

Prescribed Text

• Johnson, D.W., & Johnson, F.P. (2017). Joining together: Group theory and group skills (12th ed.). Pearson