Bachelor's degree, consisting of 180 credits. The equivalent of English B/ English 6 in Swedish secondary school.

The purpose of the course is for the student to develop the ability to analyze and critically reflect on community work in relation to processes of urban transformation with special emphasis on participation, empowerment and social mobilization.

The course is comprised of three modules focusing on theoretical and applied perspectives on community work in different national context.

After completing this course the student will:

1. demonstrate knowledge of theoretical perspectives on community work with special emphasis on participation, empowerment, social mobilization and urban transformation

2. demonstrate understanding of how different national contexts and circumstances affect the condition for community work in urban areas

After completing this course the student will be able to:

3. analyze challenges of community work initiatives, with a special emphasis on participation, empowerment and social mobilization

4. collaboratively analyze and critically reflect on community work initiatives in relation to contemporary theory in community work, participation, empowerment and social mobilization and present this research orally and in written form

5. critically evaluate the design and management of community work initiatives with a special emphasis on participation, empowerment and social mobilization

After completing this course the student will:

6. be able to reflect independently on various aspects of community work with respect to their impact on the ability for citizens to take active part in processes of urban transformation and social mobilization

Each theme is discussed in relation to theory but also made the object of a practical workshop and set in relation to different empirical cases. Whenever possible throughout the course international comparison between similar cases in different countries will be used in order to enable direct discussion of different conditions for community work in different national contexts.

Learning activities in the course consist of lectures, seminars and workshops (approximately 20 hours), independent group work and individual work.

The course is divided into three modules: Theoretical perspectives on Community work (4 credits, grading scale UA), Community work and urban transformation (5 credits, grading scale UG) and Case study (6 credits, grading scale UA). The final grade is based on a summary of the grades from module one, two and three.

Student achievement is assessed in the first module based on an independent written paper and examines learning outcomes 1), and 3).

Student achievement is assessed in the second module based on an independent group work, with a written and oral presentation and examines learning outcomes 2), 4), and 6).

Student achievement is assessed in the third module based on an independent case study, with a written and oral presentation and examines learning outcomes 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), and 6).

Most of the course literature consists of articles from scientific journals and case materials that will be either made available through Malmö University library or provided by the teachers. The following books are also required:

The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students will be offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.