Details for Group and Community Work

This skills development subject will examine community leadership principles, group processes and dynamics and apply them in the class context. The aim of this approach is to provide regular and on-going real world experiences that will improve capacity to develop community within a group context and to promote individual growth/change through this context. The subject comes from both a sociological (human services emphasis) and Christian service basis which will cause critical reflection on the learning from both current and past group and community experiences. This subject has been designed to comply with PACFA and ACA training requirement:

Awards offering Group and Community Work

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Graduate Certificate in Wellbeing Studies
• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science

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

• Defining community & community development
• Breaking through barriers
• Bringing change; communication, negotiation, facilitation and support
• Defining groups & group dynamics; Experiential Learning
• Goals & interdependence; group communication
• Leadership, power, decision making; controversy and creativity, managing conflict, diversity
• Growth & counselling groups

This course may be offered in the following formats

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

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Learning Portfolio (30%)
• Exam (20%)
• Group Leadership and Reflection (50%)

Prescribed Text

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