Bachelor of Community Development

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualifications is to provide a well-rounded, broad education that equips learners with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of related disciplines and community development as a field of study. The qualification will provide learners with community development theoretical knowledge and practical skills since it is a requirement for one to be able to facilitate activities that will enable households and communities to manage their own development to achieve sustainable livelihoods. In addition, the qualification is intended for Community Development Practitioners who are required to facilitate collective processes in a community to effect psycho, social and economic development. Furthermore, the qualification will inculcate the following attributes within learners' accountability, responsibility and being ethical.

Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to

• Communicate the information both verbally and in writing to a range of audiences and stakeholders with regard to specific development-related issues in specific contexts.
• Conduct a research on community development with relevance to a specific context.
• Analyse, synthesise, evaluate and review complex community development related information in order to conceptualise a problem and produce an evidence based argument or solution to a community development situation.
• Apply knowledge of the regulatory environment to mobilise a community to operate within the regulatory framework in relation to the context.
• Execute developmental programmes and projects in dealing with a community development context.
• Apply knowledge of the interdependent relationships between individuals, families, groups/organisations to facilitate processes.
• Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of responsibility and accountability within own scope of practice in a community development context.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Community Development, at NQF Level 8 is a professional Degree that emphasises an integrated and holistic approach to community development. The qualification will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and values needed to enhance the integration of all community development stakeholders for effective community development. It ensures that Community Development Practitioners will have a level of authority, responsibility and status within a regulated framework and work with the Institute for Local Government Management South Africa (ILGMSA) Professional Body to facilitate the processes that will enable stakeholders and communities to participate in integrated planning processes and collective actions. The qualification will also empower local communities and strengthen the capacity of people as active citizens through their communities, organisations and networks. It also seeks to capacitate institutions and agencies to work in dialogue with citizens to shape and determine change in their communities. The community development processes involve members of a community in their own development and also aims to enhance the capacity of the community to respond to its collective needs and resources.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants may provide evidence of prior learning for which they may receive credits towards the qualification as set out by the university.

Entry Requirements

For admission to this qualification, learners are required to have the following in order to be considered for admission:

• National Senior Certificate allowing entry to Bachelors' Degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

Or

• The National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4 allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• A Degree in Social Sciences.

Or

• A Diploma.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 488 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5, 80 Credits

• English Academic Skills, 32 Credits.
• Introduction to Politics, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Sociological Imagination, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Community Development, 16 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6, 168 Credits

• Social Institutions and Social Change, 16 Credits.
• Community Development: Method and Analysis, 16 Credits.
• The Sociology of Developing Societies (Intro), 16 Credits.
• Community Development: Participatory and Creative approaches - Philosophy and Techniques, 24 Credits.
• Community Development Practical 1, 16 Credits.
• Community Development: Leadership, Governance and Conflict in Practice, 16 Credits.
• Developmental Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Social Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
• Governance and Political Transformation in Africa, 16 Credits.
• Industrial Sociology, 16 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7, 104 Credits

• Sociological Theory, 16 Credits.
• Community Development: Setting, Directions and Pathways for Practice, 32 Credits.
• Social Psychology, 8 Credits.
• Social Research and Practice, 6 Credits.
• Community Development Practical 2, 32 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 8, 136 Credits.

• Community Development: Community-Based Education and Training Approaches, 16 Credits.
• The Sociology of Developing Societies (Advanced), 24 Credits.
• Community Development Work placement, 32 Credits.
• The Sociology of Population and the Environment, 24 Credits.
• Community Development Practical 3 (Action-Research Project), 40 Credits.

1. Communicate the information both verbally and in writing to a range of audiences and stakeholders with regard to specific development-related issues in specific contexts.
2. Conduct a research on community development with relevance to a specific context.
3. Analyse, synthesise, evaluate and review complex community development related information in order to conceptualise a problem and produce an evidence based argument or solution to a community development situation.
4. Apply knowledge of the regulatory environment to mobilise a community to operate within the regulatory framework in relation to the context.
5. Execute developmental programmes and projects in dealing with a community development context.
6. Apply knowledge of the interdependent relationships between individuals, families, groups/organisations to facilitate processes.
7. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of responsibility and accountability within own scope of practice in a community development context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate for the audience and purpose of the communication is correctly used.
• Professional, accurate, coherent and correct communication is used in terms of style, tone and sensitivity to language is taken into consideration.
• Active listening skills are demonstrated in individual and group situations and information is recorded accurately, concisely and coherently.
• Knowledge of current events, issues and affairs reported in the media is interpreted and assessed for relevance and is applied at local level where appropriate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Knowledge of research designs and methodologies is applied to research in a community development context.
• Community-based research is conducted to profile a community and inform a programme or collective action.
• A research report is compiled based on actual research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The theory of practice is applied when interacting with the community.
• Theories and philosophies are applied to a variety of community development contexts.
• Concepts of community development are explained and used appropriately in context.
• Historical and contemporary contexts of community development are discussed with reference to how the contexts to give meaning to the community development concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Legislation, policies and international conventions are analysed and interpreted for application and/or compliance in a specific context.
• The processes through which legislation and policies are formulated is explained with reference to how individuals and communities can be involved in and/or influence the processes.
• Social policies relevant to community development are analysed in terms of the inter-relationship between the policies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Change is facilitated by designing and implementing development programmes and projects.
• The practical skills of project management is attained the community development initiatives are implemented.
• Methods, skills and techniques for working with communities are demonstrated in a variety of community development situations or contexts.
• Theories and techniques of leadership and management are investigated for relevance in variety of community development situations.
• Participatory approaches are applied to a community development process.
• A Community Development process is applied to empower a local community to strengthen the capacity of people as active citizens and to shape and determine change in the community.
• Theories of organisational development are explained for a community development context.
• Knowledge of financial management and business economics is applied to the community development cycle.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Social dynamics within the various systems in a community are analysed in order to facilitate change or build community capacity.
• Social systems, human development and behaviour are understood and applied in order to build interdependent relationships in a community context.
• Institutions and organisations that provide resources for the facilitation of community development are consulted for a specific context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• The roles and responsibilities of community development practitioners are explained with reference to scope of practice and avenues for referral.
• The consequences of contravening the code of practice and professional code of ethics d are understood.
• Skills and techniques for personal development and awareness are explored with a view to developing personal capacity.
• A code of conduct for community development practitioners is analysed and discussed in terms of how the code should affect own practice.
• The role of supervision in community development practice is discussed with reference to self, own roles and responsibilities.

Integrated Assessment

The Bachelor of Community Development will assess applied competences through clearly stipulated assessment procedures and criteria according to institutional assessment policy. Constructive feedback on the learning process and/or learning progress is provided to individual students and/or groups of students in oral and/or written format and clearly explained and justified.

For summative assessments, learners are subjected to two examination sessions, focusing not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on the integration of knowledge and competencies during practical examination sessions. Apart from written and practical examinations, learners are required to engage in a research project and to submit an extended research report.