The concept of Community and the process of Community Development are core pillars in the MA in Sociology (Youth, Community and Social Regeneration.) This new module will afford a far greater and necessary emphasis on the concepts of community and community development. The module will provide students with a critical understanding of the theory and practice of community development from a Sociological Perspective. It will provide a firm foundation in the overall professional and vocational development of programme graduates. 

This module is focused on the study of community and community development. It addresses a number of critical theoretical questions which are rooted in traditional sociological concerns about power, inequality and representation. In addressing these questions, students will be asked to analytically engage with theoretical perspectives on community and community development as they intersect with the material categories of social class, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity. The study of social movements and community development organizations will be explored through classic and contemporary empirical research. The module will commence with an exploration of how the concept of community has been understood by social scientists.  It will then focus on the emergence of community development movements in both International and local Irish contexts. Key themes will include a consideration of both Integrationist and Oppositional Models of Community Development;  the changing relationship between the state and community development organizations; volunteerism; the de-politicization of community development and the stigmatization of disadvantaged communities. 

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives relating to the sociological study of community and community development. Evidence an in-depth knowledge and understanding of empirical approaches to the sociological study of community and community development.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Demonstrate a critically informed awareness of the differing experience as mediated by diverse social circumstances. Students will be able to bring a sociological perspective to contemporary media and policy debates about the community and NGO sectors. 

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: N/A. 

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and self-directed learning.  It will include a fieldtrip to three community development/youth work sites in the region. The module will draw upon contemporary debates in the field of community development studies - most notably contained in the Oxford University based journal Community Development. It will also draw upon a wide range of current social and public policy documents concerned with community self-help, housing/homelessness etc. The module will contain at least 50% Blended Delivery.