MHP214 Primary Health Care: Community Development (8)

This subject examines the principles and practices of community development. It focuses on how to engage and work effectively with communities to build social capital and effective community programs that will assist in improving social and emotional well-being in families and communities. The influences of globalisation, the hegemonic nature of neoliberal political ideology, and the use of online technologies on  the effectiveness of community development will be considered.

Students will develop their understanding and application of the important concepts of equity, access, empowerment, community self-determination and inter-agency collaboration as well as the social, economic, cultural and political determinants of health. International perspectives on community development will also be explored.

Students undertaking this subject are expected to develop a proposal for a community development mental health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a primary health care context.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MHP214. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Enrolment Restrictions

Restricted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science- Mental Health

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to explore the underlying principles of community development;
  • be able to examine the influences of globalisation, neoliberal political ideology and online technologies on communities and community development;
  • be able to describe how deficit focused approaches impact on communities and the outcomes of community development; and analyse the social, economic, cultural and political determinants of health;
  • be able to identify the characteristics of successful community development projects including program sustainability;
  • be able to interpret how equity, access, empowerment, social justice, community self-determination and inter-agency collaboration might be achieved within a community development project; including reviewing this from a Global perspective; and
  • be able to implement the skills of group planning, problem solving and decision making through the development of a proposal for a community development program.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • MODULE 1: The history of Community Development;
  • MODULE 2: What is Community Development?;
  • MODULE 3: Contemporary Contextual Influences on Community Work Practice in Australia;
  • MODULE 4: Equity, access, empowerment, social justice community self-determination and inter-agency collaboration;
  • MODULE 5: Social, economic, cultural and political determinants of health;
  • MODULE 6: Community Participation: A Global Perspective;
  • MODULE 7: Developing a Community Development proposal; and
  • MODULE 8: Problem solving in Community Development

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of MHP214 in Session 1 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Compulsory residential school attendance
0
2
Community development report
40
3
Community development proposal report
60

Residential School

This subject contains a 2.8 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school is compulsory as it forms a significant component of the teaching strategy in this subject. Further details about the residential school will be provided by your Subject Coordinator. Students will attend a total of 20 days at residential schools throughout the year for this subject and other subjects in the course.

Students undertaking subjects within the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)  Djirruwang Program may be eligible for federal government funding  to attend the compulsory residential schools. This funding is set at 20 days across two academic sessions which meets the requirements for support from Indigenous Student Services.

Special Resources

Students will be required to attend compulsory residential schools throughout the year for this subject and other subjects throughout the course.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

Back