Community Volunteering for Change

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

132-152 hours.

Completion of 100 points at undergraduate level. Placements must be approved by the subject coordinator. Application forms can be found at: http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/amsc/getting-more/community-volunteering.html

None.

None.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will provide an understanding of the community sector and community development through a substantial volunteer experience. The aims of this subject are to enable you to undertake and report on a community-based project, gain significant insight into workplace issues, and further develop your employability skills in communication, planning and organisation, self-management and problem solving.

The subject includes a placement of 80-100 hours with a not-for-profit organisation, offering an opportunity to contribute to a community through project work, research and/or engaging in the key activities of the organisation.

The placement is supplemented by pre- and post-placement classes, including a compulsory induction in Week 1 and compulsory sessions in Weeks 2 &3, designed to prepare you for your placement, provide a theoretical framework of community development which will provide insight into the evolving needs of the community and the role of not-for-profit organisations in community development. The pre-placement seminars will also include self-assessment, reflexivity and professional skills. Students will have an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired during their course to address issues of significance to a community and to enhance their understanding of approaches in the field of community/social development

Students will be expected to identify potential host organisations for work placement. Student may seek advice from Melbourne Careers Centre who may provide support through seminars and workshops on when and how to approach host organisations http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/careers/. Students should commence approaching organisations, at least 4 weeks before the placement. More information is available in the subject guide. Placements must be approved by the subject coordinator. Students experiencing problems finding a placement should contact the subject co-ordinator.

Upon subject completion, students will have completed a community project, gained insight into workplace issues and enhanced their employability skills. They will also have developed a critical understanding of the nature of citizenship and volunteering and the role of not-for-profit organisations in contemporary society. Through enrolment in this subject, students will develop skills as global citizens and leaders in communities and will contribute significantly to the community.

Please note: There may also be opportunities to work with the "Big Issue" organisation in 2016. For further information on this and other opportuniteis please refer to the Internships & Community Volunteering website.

Students who complete this subject will:

• Gain an understanding of community development issues;
• Appreciate how the work of the not for profit sector contributes to community development;
• Have enhanced ability to undertake independent research;
• Demonstrate critical self-appraisal and self-reflection;
• Gain some advanced project and/or community development practice skills;
• Demonstrate greater appreciation of active citizenship and community leadership issues;
• Contribute as a member of a team.

The assessment for this subject is equivalent to 4.000 words consisting of the following:

• 1000-word mid-semester progress report on the placement experience, including personal skills and knowledge development (20%). Due week 7;
• 20 minute team presentation analysing the strategic plan and mission of your host organisations and their relationship to community development goals, (30%) Presentations held during Week 10, 11 & 12;
• 2,000 major essay on the nature of community development and volunteering as you have studied it and as you have observed it during your placement, (50%) Due Week 12.
• 80 hours of satisfactory work placement (hurdle);
• 100% attendance at seminars (hurdle).

Readings and resources will be provided via the LMS.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.