Course Resources Archive

This module examines contested issues in the field of community engagement and governance.   It explores the historical context of issues such as localism versus centralism or participation versus representation.  Students then assess ways in which the issues are managed in practice.

Current issues are explained and debated in academic, practitioner and policymaking literature.  This module encourages you to explore different perspectives on an area of tension in the field of community engagement and governance by researching and evaluating a range of sources.  This includes finding out how the issues have developed over time.  Your task is to review different positions, evaluate arguments and in some cases, to seek to resolve or manage the issues. 

Examples of contested issues include the extent to which power is located in a local setting or at national or European levels, the tension between globalisation and local needs, the value of democracy involving elected representatives or participation through voluntary and community groups.  For some organisations there are debates about quality standards, partnership working, regulation and sustainable development.  Your task is to assess the authority and credibility of sources, the reliability of evidence and the validity of arguments.  You investigate and assess ways in which your selected issue is managed in practice.  For example, how does a planning authority resolve the tensions inherent in sustainability?  How do local organisations address the conflicts between globalisation and localism?

On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:

i. Knowledge and understanding. 

1. Critically evaluate contested issues in community governance and sustainable communities
2. Explain, resolve or manage a variety of different perspectives
3. Review changing perceptions of community engagement and governance over time

ii. Skills. 

1. Investigate, analyse and evaluate diverse sources of ideas
2. Construct logical, well-informed arguments, contributing to the debate on a selected complex issue

This is a distance learning module based on 300 hours study.
Staff/student contact: 10% (residential school, face-to-face and online support)
Work-based learning: 30%, student directed learning: 60%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.