Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102526

Coordinator Renu Narchal Opens in new window

Description Community Engaged Learning provides students with an opportunity for direct community engagement in an ethical way through experience in various settings including government agencies, not for profit organisations, community organisations, industry partners, and other professional bodies. The subject offered in block mode, facilitates first-hand learning through active participation with the community, to develop leadership skills within a team with enhanced capacity to understand social and organisational responsibilities. Students will be encouraged to utilise their knowledge, skills and experience gained over their degree within real-life situations. They are required to complete mandatory orientation activities and briefing and debriefing workshops at the start, middle and end of the semester. They will complete 60 hours of community/industry engagement and 15 hours of interaction at academic workshops. Academic support will be available online via vUWS through the duration of the community engagement. Debriefing sessions will provide ample scaffolding for the development of skill, knowledge, professionalism and potential leadership. Students should obtain their Police Clearance prior to the start of the semester to commence their placement in a timely manner. Late enrolments may affect this.

School Psychology

Discipline Welfare Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Restrictions

Successful completion of 120 credit points of study in currently enrolled program. This subject may be taken by students in any WSU undergraduate program where elective spaces are available.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate strategies for effective engagement with community partners and knowledge of ethical and professional conduct in various community settings.
2. Critically reflect on the community engaged learning in relation to service learning theory in addressing issues faced by community organisations.
3. Demonstrate the process of planning, developing, implementing and evaluating programs for improvement as part of community engaged learning.
4. Apply academic knowledge and theory learnt through their degree to real-world situations/issues that concern community organisations.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of and sensitivity toward cultural and social diversity and its impact on social capital.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of their own cultural perspectives and that of other cultures in relation to the community engaged learning, such as and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and the needs and perspectives of various disadvantaged groups.

Subject Content

1. Concerns surrounding public sector agencies and non-profit community organisations.
2. Lifelong learning through personal engagement with public sector and non-profit community agencies
3. Effective and logical problem solving, and creative thinking
4. Strategies and skills for service delivery and advocacy
5. Effective communication and interpersonal skills
6. Research and collaborative service provision in public sector and non-profit community agencies
7. Leadership and advocacy toward social responsibility and analytical skills for effective intervention.
8. Cross-cultural and social diversity in heritage needs/cultural perspectives.