Higher Certificate in Community Development and Leadership

Purpose

This programme is aimed at equipping students with the competence in the acquisition and application of methods and principles in the field of people centred participatory development facilitation, with focus on the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach.

Rationale

The short learning qualification is intended for people who are involved in or want to become involved in community development work and want to know about the theories and processes of addressing poverty and inequalities in mobilisation of communities towards sustainable development endeavours. The qualification has in the past and will continue to cater for people on all levels and different organisations e.g. Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), government, faith based organisations, nursing and teaching.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the institution concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning students may gain access, or advance placement, or status recognition on the condition that they continue their studies at this institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is the

• Any National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4 qualification.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5 totalling at 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Social Business Entrepreneurial Skills, 24 Credits.
• Personal and professional leadership, 24 Credits.
• Management in community development, 24 Credits.
• Community development process, 24 Credits.
• Elements for sustainable community development process, 24 Credits.

1.Identify and analyse poverty, developmental problems and inequalities; and become personally empowered, cultural sensitive and principle-centred leaders.

2.Initiate, establish and manage community groups; and coordinate community actions and networks with relevant role-players; understand and effectively facilitate the people-centred participatory process of community development, making use of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, geared towards self-reliant communities.

3.Manage self-sustainable community projects in a cost-effective way; and understand and effectively apply social business leadership skills within context of community development.

4.Analyse different types of theories of community development in terms of their origins and application in specific settings and contexts. Range: Setting refers to rural, peri-urban and urban.

5.Principles and ethics underlying community development are explained with examples. Range: Principles of community development practice include, but are not limited to, inclusion, respect, empowerment, participation, ownership and adaptiveness.

6.Explain and compare various approaches for community development in terms of their differences and similarities in relevant settings. Range: Approaches include but are not limited to sustainable livelihoods and asset-based community development, community capacity building, social capital formation, political participator development, non-violent direct action, ecologically sustainable development, faith-based community development; participatory planning and community empowerment.

7.Explain the community development process in terms of how it informs good community development practice.

8.Examine the role of economics and economic systems in terms of their impact on community transformation/ interventions.

• Analyse different types of theories of community development in terms of their origins and application in specific settings and contexts.
• Explain by using example the principles and ethics underlying community development with. Principles of community development practice include, but are not limited to, inclusion, respect, empowerment, participation, ownership and adaptiveness.
• Explain and compare various approaches for community development in terms of their differences and similarities in relevant settings. Approaches include but are not limited to sustainable livelihoods and asset-based community development, community capacity building, social capital formation, political participator development, non-violent direct action, ecologically sustainable development, faith-based community development; participatory planning and community empowerment.
• Explain the community development process in terms of how it informs good community development practice.
• Examine the role of economics and economic systems in terms of their impact on community transformation/interventions.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification is coherently aligned in that all teaching, learning and assessment activities are linked to module and qualification outcomes. Assessment methods are varied and includes summative and formative assessment to enhance applied competence from learners and facilitate authentic assessment and learning. Assessment will not only be used to determine whether outcomes were achieved, but also to generate data for grading and provide feedback in order to improve the curriculum. The learners will be assessed by four short written assignments, two internship assessments (middle of the year and at the end) and the establishment of a small scale project in a community showing competence in the integration of theory and practice. In addition, 2 assessments per module by means of written tests, 1 assignment per module, 2 practical periods per week per module, mid-year evaluation by means of a presentation on initiating and application of a small scale development project; final written summative assessment per module and oral presentation on sustainability of small scale development project.