Community work is a cornerstone of social work practice. There are, however many challenges for professional community practice in the contemporary context. This unit will facilitate student's development of the high level critical analysis skills required understand and work collaboratively towards socially just community aims. The core focus of working with communities is to enable community members to develop the expertise and experience they require to determine and pursue their collective priorities. This unit critiques traditional, contemporary and innovative models of community work, community development and social activism. Students will evaluate the strengths and limitations of different models. They will research the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of various approaches, and develop an advanced understanding of how each approach applies to diverse contexts and aligns with social work ethics, values and principles.
PRESCRIBED TEXT - DEVELOPING COMMUNITITES FOR THE FUTURE
