Handbook

Using a rights based approach, the course examines the nature of participatory community development in an international and national context, drawing on a range of theoretical and case study materials. The course covers a brief history of community development; the changing nature of community work, the concepts of culture in relation to community work in developing societies, and the dynamics of communication, including cross cultural communication, working with interpreters, human rights documentation and advocacy. Different ideological approaches to participatory community work are examined and an analysis of the impacts and outcomes that these approaches might have on communities is explored. Alternative models of research, consultation and needs analysis, planning and sustainable service delivery are examined in order to address changing and emerging needs.