Module Identifier | GG37720 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Module Title | COMMUNITIES, PARTICIPATION AND POLICY: CONSTRUCTING SPACES OF CITIZENSHIP | ||||||||||||||||||||
Academic Year | 2006/2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Co-ordinator | Dr Bill Edwards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Semester | Intended for use in future years | ||||||||||||||||||||
Next year offered | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Next semester offered | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other staff | Dr Bill Edwards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-Requisite | Normally entry to SH, JH, Major/Minor BA/BSc geography | ||||||||||||||||||||
Course delivery | Lecture | 20 Hours. 18 x 50 minutes lectures to include discussion, delivered in 10 x 2 hour sessions | |||||||||||||||||||
Seminars / Tutorials | 2 Hours. 2 x 30 minute Seminar sessions 1 x 30 minute supervisory tutorial per student enrolled - requiring a written outline and oral presentation of the research assignment | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assessment |
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Drawing on a range of policy initiatives and evidence from both rural and urban settings, the opening section of the module discusses the changing nature of 'communities' and neighbourhoods and the consequences that arise for local participation. It then describes and evaluates the nature of contemporary participation in local politics and government, in local voluntary associations and in a range of community regeneration initiatives. This evidence provides a critical insight into the level of participation that is occurring and the policy that has encouraged such engagement.
These themes lead to a theoretical and conceptual reappraisal of the changing relations between the State and civil society apparent in contemporary policy; to a discussion of the importance of concepts of governance and governmentality in the understanding of these changes; to the new expectations of citizenship that are being promoted and to a consideration of the geographically uneven outcomes of such practices. This raises further questions for consideration: namely what are the consequences that arise from a policy emphasis with a strong community and neighbourhood focus, what might be the most appropriate routes through which to encourage local leadership and active citizenship and how, in such a context, to address issues of social exclusion. The module concludes with a discussion of the new spaces of citizenship that are emerging.
Section B: Theory and Policy
Problem_solving | The identification of research questions and finding routes to address them will be encouraged in the discussion sessions prior to the requirement to submit a research proposal - Weeks 1-4 - these sessions should develop strategies for problem solving implicit in the research assignment. | ||
Research skills | Existing research competencies will be developed through the supervisory tutorial and practiced in the preparation of the 'policy-related' research assignment. | ||
Communication | Oral communication will be practiced and developed through four discussion sessions, two seminars and an oral presentation in the supervisory tutorial. Writing skills will be assessed through the examination and 'policy assignment'. | ||
Improving own Learning and Performance | Attendance at the lectures, participation in the discussion sessions, seminars and through the supervisory tutorial will provide experience and feedback encouraging the development of this skill. Students will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed study during the module. | ||
Team work | The seminars will provide the opportunity for small group research and the collaborative presentation of findings. This will not be assessed, though the fluency of individual oral participation will be evaluated in the seminar contributions made. | ||
Information Technology | Many of the research assignments will require facility in the use of web-based resources. All research assignments will be word-processed and may use other IT packages as part of their presentation of results. These skills learnt in other contexts will be practiced in the delivery of the assignment. | ||
Application of Number | Students may employ appropriate numerical information in the 'policy report'. | ||
Personal Development and Career planning | The module is intended to raise questions about the nature of citizenship, in doing so, this may inform the personal development of those who participate. It also discusses themes that offer potential career opportunities for graduates studying the discipline. | ||
Subject Specific Skills | The module consolidates established subject-specific skills rather than developing new capacities. These will be employed in both the examination and research assignment task. |
This module is at CQFW Level 6