Assessment Brief
Program
Bachelor of Applied Social Science
Subject
Community development
Subject code
WEL301A
Name of assessment
Assessment 3: Written academic case study
Length
2500 words
Learning outcomes addressed
by this assessment:
A, B, C, D, E
Submission Date:
End of week 10, Sunday 11.55 pm
Assessment brief summary:
Research and choose an example of Community Development today. Use
this example to identify, theoretically articulate & analyse as an Academic
Case Study- Community Development principles and practices in action.
Identify- the community of focus, the principles, power roles & alliances,
networking, leadership/team skills, educational initiatives, positioning,
development of communication / research / development skills:- as well as
using public awareness groups and initiatives etc. Identify evidence of the
underpinning social justice ethos in their work, and the range of values,
skills, and insights drawn from social theory, and academic disciplines/ and
models of practice. Demonstrate the efficacy of their sustainability
principles and practices.
Total marks
50
Weighting
50%
Students are advised that any submissions past the due date incur a 10% penalty per day, calculated from the total
mark e.g. a task marked out of 40 will incur a 4 mark penalty per day.
Please note: you must attempt all tasks in a subject to be eligible to pass the subject.
More information, please refer to the Academic Progression Policy on http://www.think.edu.au/about?think/think?
quality/our?policies.
WEL301A AB3, Case Study
Page 1
Assessment Description:
Community development workers draw on values underpinning an ethos of social justice. In their
work, workers employ a range of values, skills, insights drawn from social theories and academic
disciplines, and models of practice. Summarise these core Community Development Characteristics
and then use examples in your case study ? to critically justify and discuss? how it is an example of
Community Development core principles and practices.
Include a critical evaluation of the community development project or initiative as theoretical content
from sections 7?9/10. Provide a clear academic analysis of the case study, study. Some of the topical
points to consider include:
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?
?
?
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Principles of social justice, equitability, inclusiveness
Power and empowerment
Social, ecological and economic sustainability
Broader social, political, historical and economic contexts
Stages of community development used in the project
Skills employed by community developers
Projects effects, outcomes. Project evaluation
Theories of community development which might help to explain the community development
approach employed by the project/ initiative described in the case study.
Marking Criteria:
Max. in
category
Answering the question and responding to the topic
30
Links to theories and concepts
10
Number and choice of appropriate references
4
Word count, readability, and structure
3
In-text references and reference list, accuracy and use of
correct referencing style
3
Total:
50
Your
points
Comments:
WEL301A AB3, Case Study
Page 2
What we want to see:
The work must be fully referenced with in-text citations and a reference list at the end. We
recommend you work with your Academic Writing Guide to ensure that you reference correctly. You
will find a link to this document on the main page of every unit, under the ‘Assessments’ section.
Correct academic writing and referencing are essential tasks that you need to learn. We
recommend a minimum of six references.
Referencing: References are assessed for their quality. You should draw on quality academic
sources, such as books, chapters from edited books, journals etc. Your textbook can be used as a
reference, but not the Study Guide and lecture notes. We want to see evidence that you are capable
of conducting your own research. Also, in order to help markers determine students understanding
of the work they cite, all in-text references (not just direct quotes) must include the specific page
number/s if shown in the original.
Researching: You can search for peer-reviewed journal articles, which you can find in the online
journal databases and which can be accessed from the library homepage. Reputable news sites
such as The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/au/health), online dictionaries and online
encyclopedias are acceptable as a starting point to gain knowledge about a topic. Government
departments, research institutes such as the National Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC), international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local not
for profit organisations such as the Cancer Council are also good resources.
Formatting: The assessment MUST be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format. Other
formats may not be readable by markers. Please be aware that any assessments submitted in other
formats will be considered LATE and will lose marks until it is presented in Word.
What we dont want to see:
Plagiarism: All sources of information need to properly be acknowledged. Please refer to the
plagiarism website on blackboardi. By clicking the ‘Upload this file’ button you acknowledge that you
have read, understood and can confirm that the work you are about to submit complies with the
Flexible and Online plagiarism policy as shown in the JNI Student Handbook. Like other forms of
cheating plagiarism is treated seriously. Plagiarising students will be referred to the Program
Manager.
Word Count: Marks will be deducted for failure to adhere to the word count as a general rule you
may go over or under by 10% than the stated length.
Late Submissions: Students are advised that any submissions past the due date incur a 10%
penalty per day, calculated from the total mark e.g. a task marked out of 30 will incur 3 marks
penalty per day.
No submission: Students must attempt all tasks to be eligible to pass the unit.
More information can be found in Think Education Assessment Policy document on the Think
Education website.
WEL301A AB3, Case Study
Page 3
Resources Available to YOU:
1. Academic writing guide link
https://laureateau.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_20163_
1&content_id=_2498847_1&mode=reset
2. Writing & referencing: The link to the Learning and Academic Skills Unit
(LASU) is on the left pulldown menu on the blackboard home page:
https://laureateau.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_20163_
1&content_id=_2498847_1&mode=reset
LASU also provides a series of academic skills tutorials. Please contact Caroline
Spaans (cspaans@laureate.net.au, 02 949 232 14).
3. Researching: A guide to researching is available on the library page
http://library.think.edu.au/research_skills/.
Please contact the online and Pyrmont librarian for Health, Dawn Vaux
(dvaux@laureate.net.au) if you would like further help or a tutorial on how to do
research this way.
i
https://laureate?
au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_20163_1&content_id=_2498858_1&mode=reset
WEL301A AB3, Case Study
Page 4
Summary Assessment Brief 3 WEL301A
Research and choose an example of a current Community Development Project
Identify (briefly describe) and analyse
Give a brief description of the project
The core community development characteristics
The principles (aims) of the Project
Underlying values and skills required by the Community Workers
The target community/groups
The stakeholders
Education initiatives/public awareness initiatives
How this program is different or similar from other projects (Is it unique?)
Analyse how this project had embodied the principles of community development. Include
the following:
Evidence of Social Justice and values being applied (or not) within the project eg equity, human
rights, participation
How social theory or models of practice has been used/applied to this particular development
project (or not)? Eg conflict theory, functionalism
How sustainable are their principles and practices?
The Community Workers values and skills employed and how these relate to this community
development
Evaluate the projects success in terms of meeting the core values, underpinning theories and
principles. How have principles and theories been implemented? Have they been successful?
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of the development project? How sustainable
is the project?
In analysing the Project use the following checklist to assist you:
(Use ONLY those that are relevant to your Project)
Theories of community development which might help to explain the community development
approach employed by the project/ initiative described in the case study.
Principles of social justice, equitability, inclusiveness
Broader social, political, historical and economic contexts
Stages of community development used in the project
Skills employed by community developers
Projects effects, outcomes. Project evaluation
Social, ecological and economic sustainability
Power and empowerment (if relevant)
NB: in essay format, however, headings can be useful and will be accepted
