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:

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Applied Social Science
• Bachelor of Ministry
• Diploma of Arts
• Undergraduate Certificate in Arts
• Undergraduate Certificate in Community Services

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Discuss group and community principles and processes and how they can influence change processes;
2. Apply group and community principles and processes in small group, class-based contexts;
3. Critically reflect on 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: SMART 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

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 (40%)
• Exam (20%)
• Group Leadership and Reflection Project Plan (20%)
• Group Leadership and Reflection Reflection (20%)

Prescribed Text

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

Please consult your instructor prior to purchasing any textbooks.