The community participation and development modules are designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply some of the theory learned on courses in a real world situation through working with local voluntary or statutory organisations.
The module is available in the school during years two and three of your course, with each level requiring students to undertake 50 hours of practical work in a community-based setting linked to their degree area. For example students on criminology courses may wish to work with a crime prevention organisation while sociology students may wish to work in a homeless shelter or a local pressure group.
We provide a range of support in identifying project opportunities - including an online database of updated role descriptions; a matching event in which organisations are invited into the university to promote their projects; and small group tutorial support. While some students opt to work through contacts they already have, we strongly encourage people to undertake something they have not done before.
Students who complete the module successfully during year two may want to work with a different organisation in year three or to take on a different and more complex role within the same group.
Students are assessed on their learning from the experience rather than their performance during it, and assessment tasks include:
- Completion of a learning agreement or 'outline plan' at the start of the project, specifying activities and providing a rationale for this.
- An analysis of the organisation looking at structure, culture and function.
- An evaluative report reflecting on the experience.
- A short presentation outlining key learning.
This module has helped me realise I have got skills and that people want to hear what I have got to say. It made me see I can take responsibility for things I believe in, it has made my course seem more relevant and more worthwhile.
Second year SASS student
The whole experience has been fantastic... I have gained direction for my future career.
Student based at Moulsecoomb Primary School
This has challenged my learning relative to the other courses I take, made me get off a treadmill and think about what I am actually learning and it what it means for my life.
Student based in a credit union
