97691: Community Development Practitioner

Topics Covered

Chapter 1: Community Development Philosophy, Theories and Approaches

• Concepts of Community, Development, Community Development, Social Welfare and Social Development Defined
• Relationships between Social Welfare, Community Development and Social Development
• Historical Developments in Community Development
• Globalisation and Socio-Economic Impact on Community Development
• The Impact of Political Stability and Instability on Community Development
• The Philosophies Underpinning Community Development
• The Theoretical Underpinnings of Community Development
• The Approaches to Community Development
• The Dimensions of Community Development
• The Multidisciplinary and Multi-sectoral Approaches to CDP
• Key Issues in Community Development (Public and Voluntary Engagements)
• Key Issues related to the Concept of the Rural/Urban Interface and Consequent Impact on Community Development
• Dimensions, Causes and Effects of Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment Local and International Viewpoints
• Strategies in the Alleviation of Poverty
• Characteristics of Community Development in South Africa

Chapter 2: The Community Development Project Process

• The Process of Community Development Projects
• Phases in the Community Development Planning Process
• The Significance of Community Development Planning
• Project Management as a Tool of Implementation for Community Development Interventions
• Understanding the Financial Aspects of Community Development Projects

Chapter 3: Concepts and Theories of Communication in a Community Development Context

• What is Effective Communication?
• An Effective Communication Model
• Communication and Active Listening
• Important Communication Skills – Reaching Your Target Group
• Learning and Personal Development – How to Create Participatory Learning Environments
• Dynamics of Behaviour: Group and Individual Behaviour Dynamics
• Dynamics and Principles of Personality and Emotional Intelligence
• Learning Styles – How People Integrate Information into Their Lives
• Elements of Conflict
• Sources of Conflict in Secular and Personal Spheres
• Problem and Conflict Solving Elements and Processes
• Conflict Resolution – Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
• Arbitration as a dispute resolution process
• Unresolved Conflict: Consequences for Stakeholders
• Facilitation within the Community Context
• Styles of Facilitation
• Facilitation: How to Monitor and Evaluate Group Learning Processes
• Facilitation: How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis in the Community
• Common Fears and Vulnerabilities of Facilitators
• Report Writing: Principles and Procedures of Report Writing in Community Development

Chapter 4: Principles and functions of stakeholder engagement and participation

• Stakeholder Engagement
• Co-ordination, Integration, and Collaboration
• Case Study: Co-ordination, Collaboration, and Integration
• Regulatory and Policy Frameworks in Community Development
• Networking, Partnerships, and Volunteering
• Case Study: Zawtar El-Charkiyeh-American University of Beirut Partnership
• Creating Social Change

Chapter 5: Concepts and Principles of Administration, Coaching and Mentorship

• Introduction to the Concept of Administration
• Administrative Process
• The various Definitions of Leadership and Management
• Qualities of a Leader
• Key Leadership Theories
• Application, Advantages and Disadvantages of Leadership Theories in South African Communities
• The Key Roles and Functions of a Supervisor
• Challenges Associated with Supervision
• Strategies to Overcome Supervision Challenges
• Key Elements for Effective Administration within the Context of Community Development
• Mentoring
• Coaching
• Differences between Mentoring and Coaching
• The Application of Coaching and Mentoring in the Context of Community Development

Chapter 6: Concepts and Principles of Change Management in Community Development

• Transformation and Transformative Development
• Transformative Development in Practice: The Case of The Roofless Women’s Action Research Mobilisation Group
• Principles of Transformative Development and Action

Chapter 7: Use of Information Management Systems in Community Development

• Introduction to Information Management Systems
• Principles of Effective Data Capture and Management

Chapter 8: Principles for the Application of Various Monitoring and Evaluation Tools

• An Introduction to the Processes of Monitoring and Evaluation
• Community Level Monitoring
• District Level Monitoring
• National Level Monitoring
• Forms of Evaluation/Evaluation Tools

Chapter 9: Concepts and Principles of Applicable Labour Legislation

• An Introduction to Labour Legislation and Labour Relations
• The Role and Evolution of the Labour Movement
• Parties to the Labour Relationship and their Respective Roles
• Employees and Trade Union Membership
• The Relationship between Labour Organising and Community Organising
• How Community Development can Promote Labour Harmony
• Legislation Relevant to Employees in an Organisation
• The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996
• The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
• The Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
• The Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998
• Skills Development Act 97 of 1998
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act 181 of 1993

Chapter 10: Concepts and Principles of Organisational Development

• Introduction to Organisational Behaviour and Development
• Organisational Behaviour: Concepts and Practice
• Organisational Development
• Systems Theory and Common Organisational Systems
• Typical Organisational Systems and Processes
• Forms of Management in Organisations
• Policy and Procedure Development in Organisations – Process and Techniques
• Generic Operational Policies and Procedures in Community Development Organisations
• The Role of Community Development Organisations in Policy Formulation, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Key Competencies Required of Effective Organisations within a Community Development Context
• Organisations and Institutions involved in Community Development

Chapter 11: Community Development Research Principles and Methods

• Social Science, Social Research and Participatory Action Research
• Basic Process Followed in Social Research
• Examples of Research Conducted in the Social Science Field
• Social Research: The Participatory Action Research Design
• Social Research in the Community: The Community-Based Participatory Research Design (CBPR) and the Four Phase Research Model (FPR)
• Challenges associated with the CBPR and FPR Research Models
• Conducting Research in an Ethical and Responsible Manner
• Examples of Unethical Research and Potential Consequences
• Interpreting Research Findings and Key Aspects of Report Writing

Chapter 12: Principles of Diversity and Related Indigenous Knowledge Systems

• Defining Culture, Diversity and Social Inclusion
• Social Cohesion and its Relationship to Community Development
• The Nature and Indicators of Wellbeing
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• Diversity and Culture as Mediums to Understand the World
• Case Study: Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities
• Cultural Differences in Community Development
• Why should development initiatives take culture into consideration?
• What Cultural Barriers can stand in the way of Community Development?
• What Process should be followed to Avoid Diversity from Becoming a Barrier to Community Development and in so doing build Interdependent Community Relationships?
• How does one respect the influence of traditional practices in Community Development?

This course is part of the following qualifications that we offer:

1. Core 97691 - Occupational Certificate: Community Development Practitioner Level 5, 212 Credits