STREAMS

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

Community
Development

Community Development in Context
(10 ECTS)

Models of Community Development
(5 ECTS)

Placement1
(5 ECTS)

Community Development Skills & Methods
(10 ECTS)

Placement2
(10 ECTS)

Current Issues in Community Development
(5 ECTS)

Placement3
(10 ECTS)

Social Analysis

Introduction to Sociology
(10 ECTS)

Poverty & Inequality
(10ECTS)

Social Policy (10 ECTS)

Contemporary Social policy (10 ECTS)

Personal & Professional Development

Personal Effectiveness
(10 ECTS)

Group Work – Theory and Practice
(10 ECTS)

Facilitation Skills
(10 ECTS)

Professional Practice
(5 ECTS)

Sustainable Development

Introduction to Sustainable Development
(10 ECTS)

Environment & Sustainable Development
(10 ECTS)

Economy, Society & Sustainable Development
(10 ECTS)

Governance & Management

Politics & Public Administration (10 ECTS)

Organisations & Management
(10 ECTS)

Corporate Governance (10 ECTS)

Strategic Planning
(5 ECTS)

Social Research

Introduction to Research
(10 ECTS)

Research Data Collection
(10 ECTS)

Research Data Analysis
(10 ECTS)

Dissertation
(15 ECTS)

Year 1

Community Development in Context

Community development has a long and fascinating history.  Today, community development is promoted by the EU, Irish state agencies as well as local community groups.  With so many interested parties involved it should be no surprise that there is intense debate about what community development is or should be about.  This module will provide you with an opportunity to begin to investigate this intriguing question – what is community development?

Introduction to Sociology

We tend to take the social world around us for granted and often we fail to ask ourselves why it is that human society is the way it is?  This sociology module invites you examine some key social issues for modern Irish society.  Studying this first year sociology module is sure to spark your inquisitive instincts for learning more about the society you live in as well as your developing your skills of critical thinking and analysis.

Personal Effectiveness

This module will introduce students to the Personal and Professional stream across the four years of the programme.  It is designed to equip you with an understanding of your own personal skills and capacities. Year one focuses on self-awareness and developing personal skills like goal setting, time management and stress management.  You will also be introduced to group work and presentations. We aim to build students’ capacity to reflect and understand themselves and others so that they may fully realise their potential. 

Introduction to Sustainable Development

Think Global; Act Local!! Global issues of development are becoming increasingly complex.  Sustainable Development offers a framework to balance social, economic and environmental issues at global and local levels.  This module will encourage you to consider development issues from a broader perspective than that of local communities.  You will be introduced to the links between the social, economic and environmental spheres of development activity and of the methods for achieving balance between them.

Politics and Public Administration

The political and governmental systems at national and local levels are critical influences on the way Irish society operates. This module will enable you to gain a basic insight, knowledge and awareness of the structure of politics, the political system and the system of public administration in Ireland.  You will develop an awareness of some of the key political and public sector programmes and policies that have been at the centre of decision-making in recent times.

Introduction to Social Research

We are living in an age where we are confronted by large amounts of information and from a wide range of sources.  To make decisions in our personal and professional lives we must be fluent in finding and assessing good quality information.  This module will enable you to begin to practice vital research skills for both your study and academic work as well as preparing you for undertaking research projects of your own.

Year 2

Models of Community Development

Community Development is a diverse activity and there are many different approaches to practice.  This module will provide you with an opportunity to explore the various models of practice that reflect current community development practice.  You will be asked to consider the different community responses to address the needs of specific groups and you will explore these models while on placement.

Poverty and Inequality

In the media there is some talk about poverty and inequality in Ireland, but what do these terms really mean?  Are Irish people experiencing poverty and inequality?  Listening to all the talk of economic prosperity in Ireland you will be surprised by some of the poverty statistics this module will reveal.  Your assumptions and beliefs about the nature of Irish society are likely to be tested throughout your study of these topics.

Group Work – Theory and Practice

Year 2 of the Personal and Professional stream will address the individual within the group context, enabling you to identify your strengths in a team.  It will build upon students’ understanding and experience of groups and enhance your self-awareness and ability to communicate, relate and work effectively with others. This course is 100% continuous assessment and is practical so that you can experience, reflect and evaluate your role and contribution in groups in a real context.

Environment & Sustainable Development

Environmental issues are a key concern for us all and they present a major challenge for current economic and development thinking.  In this module you will examine the state of the environment and identify critical pressure areas such as climate change, food, population, water and energy issues.  The interrelationship between human activity and the environment will be considered and you will be challenged to measure and assess the impact of your personal lifestyle choices on the environment.

Organisations & Management

In this module you will learn about different types of organisations and their effective management.  You will consider financial aspects of organisations such as budgets, financial planning and how to read accounts as well as human resource aspects such as managing volunteers.  Project management tools and techniques will also be studied.

Research Data Collection

Very many organisations carry out research now.  Nearly all of us have been ‘researched’ in some way, for example, the official population Census, a survey by the bank or filling out a satisfaction survey in a restaurant.  In this module you will develop the skills necessary for designing questionnaires and interviews and you will gain practical experience in collecting data through these methods.

Placement 1

In this, the first of three placement episodes, you will undertake a short placement with an organisation focusing on community development and social inclusion work.  You will be on placement for approximately 4 hours per week.  You will be able to observe the work of these organisations and relate it back to the work you are doing in class.

Year 3

Community Development Skills & Methods

This module will be taught by practitioners operating in the field of community development and social inclusion work.  You will have the chance to learn the most critical skills and methods directly from people using these approaches in their everyday work.  A skills laboratory setting will enable you will experiment with these methods in class.

Social Policy

Influencing policy is a key area of work in social inclusion.  Through this module you will learn about the various areas of social policy as well as examine how social policy is made in Ireland.

Facilitation Skills

Year 3 of the Personal and Professional stream will develop participants’ in-depth understanding of the theories of group work. It is a practical module with 100% continuous assessment.  It is designed to enable you to create and deliver training. You will also learn how to lead and facilitate groups in a variety of settings.  It will also assist you to reflect on your practice and critically evaluate and self-reflect as part of the learning cycle. 

Corporate Governance

Governance deals with the processes and systems by which an organization or society operate. In a democratic society these should be aimed at ensuring accountability and justice.   This module will introduce you to some of the theories of the governance of organisations and the ways in which these theories can be applied in the voluntary, community and public sectors in particular.

Research Data Analysis

In any research project you undertake, once the task of collecting information is complete you must then analyse the information you received and try to make sense of it.  Following on from the Data Collection module in year two, you will further develop your research skills by learning to do computer and manual analysis of different types of information.  This module will play an important role in preparing you for your final year dissertation project.

Placement 2

This year you will spend approximately one and a half days per week on placement with a community development or social inclusion based agency.  You will be given the opportunity to undertake hands on work in the placement agency and you will develop many important skills such as report writing, working with groups and individuals, committee work and management skills.

Year 4

Current Issues in Community Development

In the final year of the programme you will examine some of the most contemporary debates surrounding community development work in Ireland.  You will develop a critical analysis of the role of community development in Irish society and you will examine your own personal philosophy of what community development should be about.

Contemporary Social Policy

This module will examine contemporary social policy issues in Ireland and consider the translation of social policy into service provision and care.  You will be challenged to identify the role of the social inclusion sector in influencing changes in social policy and you will further develop your skills for influencing policy and writing policy submission documents.

Professional Practics

To be a successful and effective practitioner requires the ability to seek continuous improvement in the way we do things.  This module will equip you with the skills to reflect on and assess your performance and plan to make improvements and changes in the things you do.  Reflection will also help you to relate theory and practice in your work situation as well as to consider ethical dilemmas you may encounter.  The module will also prepare you for your future career planning.

Economy, Society & Sustainable Development

There are complex relationships between the nature of our economy, the society we live in and our environment.  These relationships exist at individual, community, national and global levels.  In this module you will explore this complex maze of linkages in an attempt to tease out the opportunities provided by a framework for sustainable development.  You will critically assess the usefulness of the concept ands practice of sustainable development and consider its role in your own personal philosophy of development.

Strategic Planning

To be effective all organisations must be well organised and have a vision for future development.  Strategic planning is one method for achieving the best performance in organisations and for ensuring that resources are used in a clear and purposeful way.  You will learn some of the key methods and approaches involved in strategic planning within public and voluntary sector organisations.

Dissertation

In the final year of the programme you will undertake a piece of research in an area that interests you.  You will: choose a topic for your research; plan how you will complete the project; design methods for collecting information you need; collect and analyse that information and write a report on what you find.  This experience will enhance your research skills considerably and will contribute to your in depth knowledge of your selected research area.

Placement 3

Building on previous years you will spend one and a half days per week on placement in this final year.  You will continue to apply classroom learning to the real life context of the placement organisation.  The emphasis on placement this year will be further development of specialised knowledge, skills and attributes required in professional community development practice and social inclusion work.