Course syllabus autumn 2017
Course syllabus autumn 2017
Title
Community Work in Urban Transformation
Swedish title
Lokal områdesutveckling i urbana förändringsprocesser
Course code
US655E
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2017-02-28
Syllabus valid from
2017-08-28
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree, consisting of 180 credits. The equivalent of English B/ English 6 in Swedish secondary school.
Level
Advanced level
No main field.
Progression level
A1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is included in the two-year Master's programme Urban Studies and can also be given as an independent course.
Course objectives
The purpose of this course is for the student to develop critical and constructive understanding of community work in urban transformation. The student will develop the ability to analyze and critically reflect on the conditions of community development, citizen participation, empowerment and social mobilization in urban transformation.
Course contents
The course has two parts, one theoretical and one applied. The applied part is the design of several processes of urban transformation. The theoretical part is an arena for on-going reflections over challenges related to the applied part. The course as whole covers the following themes:
- the role of community work in sustainable urban development
- conditions for empowerment, participation and organization of citizens
- conducting a participatory design process with stakeholders on a community level
- management of community work initiatives involving multiple stakeholders
- networks in design, implementation and governance of community work initiatives
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
After completing this course the student will demonstrate:
1. knowledge of theoretical perspectives on community work with special emphasis on participation, empowerment, social mobilization and urban transformation
2. an understanding of how processes in design, development and subsequent governance shape outcomes of community work
3. knowledge of potentials and limitations of urban development projects from a sustainability and community perspective
Competence and skills
After completing this course the student will be able to:
4. conduct and present a participatory design process, in collaboration with local stakeholders, and with a special emphasis on participation, empowerment and social mobilization
5. critically evaluate the design and management of community work initiatives with a special emphasis on participation, empowerment and social mobilization
Judgement and approach
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 mobilisation.
Learning activities
Learning activities in the course consist of lectures, workshops, group work, seminars and presentations. A central part of the course is developing input to an urban development project in collaboration with a governmental organization, private company or NGO and providing constructive critique of other students' work.
Mandatory seminars on literature comprise approximately 15 hours (4 - 6 seminars). Mandatory presentations and discussion of project proposals comprise approximately 25 hours.
Assessment
Student work is assessed based on two examinations:
- literature seminars account for 5 credits around critical and constructive understanding of community work in relation to processes of urban transformation with special emphasis on participation, empowerment and social mobilization. Literature seminars are evaluated on a pass/fail basis based on both written preparations for the seminar and active participation in discussion. Students must demonstrate knowledge corresponding to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 6 (grading scale U-fail/G-pass).
- the development and presentation of a participatory design process with stakeholders on a community level as well as providing critique of fellow students' work provides 10 credits. Students must demonstrate skills corresponding to learning outcomes 4, 5 and 6 (grading scale Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U).
Course literature and other study material
Most of the course literature consists of articles from scientific journals and case materials that will be made available either through the university library or provided by the teachers. The following books are also required:
- Alinsky, S. (1989). Reveille for Radicals. Random House, New York.
- Blackshaw, T. (2009). Key Concepts in Community Studies. Sage Publications.
- Larsen, A. K., Sewpaul, V. & Hole, G. O. (eds.). (2014). Participation in Community Work. International perspectives. Routledge, London and New York.
- Putnam, R. (ed.). (2002). Democracies in Flux. The Evolution of Social Capital in Contemporary Society. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Rothstein, B. (2005). Social Traps and the Problem of Trust. Cambridge University Press.
Course evaluation
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).
Interim rules
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.