Module Identifier RD26620  
Module Title SUSTAINING RURAL COMMUNITIES  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Ioan Fazey  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   1 x 2 hour lecture per week  
  Seminars / Tutorials   3 x 2 hour seminars during semester  
  Practical   6 x 3 hour practicals during semester  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Grant application Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  70%
Semester Exam2 Hours Oral examination Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 5  30%
Supplementary Assessment Candidates will be required to re-take the element that led to failure.100%

Learning outcomes

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

Outcome 1
Apply and critically review the principles and theories of working with communities to a rural context
Performance criteria
a. Principal terms and definitions of rural community development, involvement and action are identified and analysed
b. Modernization thesis is critically analyzed with respect to rural communities
c. Francis and Henderson's model of community work (1992) is analysed
Range
Definitions - Community involvement, development and action
Modernization theory - Francis and Henderson's model of rural community work
Approaches - Examples from practitioners and real life projects.

Outcome 2
Evaluate the effectiveness of participation techniques to secure community involvement and development
Performance criteria
a. Barriers to participation are identified, assessed and addressed
b. Strengths of particular participation techniques are identified and applied to community involvement and development
c. Weaknesses particular participation techniques are identified and applied to community involvement and development
Range   
Planning for Real
Village appraisals
Visioning
Citizen Juries

Outcome 3
Analyse the various grant aid mechanisms to facilitate community development
Performance criteria
a. Range of grant schemes to support community initiatives is identified and evaluated.
b. Eligibility criteria is identified and applied to a community initiative/project   
c. Strengths and weaknesses of funding regimes are identified
Range
Mechanism - European LEADER, ERDF, EAAG, Objective 1 Community Development Fund
Lottery Community Development Fund and Heritage Lottery
Local Authority Ceredigion   

Outcome 4
Complete a grant application form for a specified community group/project
Performance criteria:
a. Relevant grant information is identified and analysed.
b. The issues affecting rural communities are identified and applied to the grant application.
c. Appropriate projects and activities are identified and justified within the grant application.
Range
Grant aid schemes - Local Authority - Non-governmental organisation - European
Issues: national - regional - local; employment, transport, environment, education, housing, quality of life
Solutions: process - product

Outcome 5
Evaluate rural community initiatives using qualitative and quantative techniques   
Performance Criteria
a. Principles of evaluation are identified
b. Qualitative techniques for evaluating rural communities are identified and assessed
c. Quantative techniques for evaluating rural communities are identified and assessed
Range
One community initiative is evaluated

Aims

The module equips students with the necessary skills to work with community groups and manage rural community initiatives. In so doing students will be exposed to the range of theories, tools and grants available for supporting community development in the rural context.

The aims are:-
To understand the principles and theories of working with communities in a rural context
To appreciate the tools, mechanisms and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with rural communities
To understand the complexities of the grant process with particular regard to European schemes
To develop the interpersonal skills required for working with rural communities

Brief description

This module will develop the understanding of the theory, processes and issues which shape and influence the rural community and assess the mechanisms and finance available for the countryside manager to achieve successful community involvement and development. Case studies of good practice and particular community groups are essential components of the module around which a model of rural community work is identified and evaluated. Practitioners and community groups will play a central role in the delivery and assessment of the module.

Module Skills

Problem_solving The grant application assignment will involve an element of problem solving.  
Communication Students will be required to prepare a report and make a presentation as part of the coursework assignment  

Reading Lists

Books
Francis, D and Henderson, P (1992) Working with rural communities Macmillan: London
Norberg Hodge H (1994) Ancient futures Rider: London

Web Page/Sites
ACRE (2000) Community work skills for rural community workers. Training Pack No 1 ACRE www.irs.aber.ac.uk/als/netpage/lectures/Distancelearning.htm
Scott, A J (2001) http://www.irs.aber.ac.uk/als/netpage/lectures/ruralcommunitiesohp.html
Wilcox D The guide to effective participation www.partnerships.org.uk/guide/index.htm

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5