21211 Indigenous Community Organisation Practicum

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject provides an opportunity for students to apply previous learning in the course in the context of a specific indigenous community organisation different from that in which they work or are involved. Through designing, organising and participating in an observational placement within an indigenous community organisation, students are exposed to the specific organisational, social, political, economic and cultural issues affecting the operation of that organisation. Students are required to identify a particular area of community organisation practice as the focus of their placement based on previous work completed in the course and prepare a report and presentation in order to share their observations and insights with other students in the subject.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. apply the rules regarding ethics and conduct relevant to contact with indigenous community organisations
2. discuss the specific issues affecting indigenous community organisations in a range of contexts including particular organisational, social, political, economic and cultural aspects
3. demonstrate the relationship between theory and practice in the context of community work
4. identify the distinctive characteristics and describe the practice of an indigenous community organisation
5. contrast selected aspects of the operation of different indigenous community organisations
6. demonstrate organisation skills relevant to working with indigenous community organisations
7. demonstrate reflective and descriptive writing skills
8. demonstrate skills in observation and recording and reporting observations
9. demonstrate oral communication and presentation skills.

Contribution to graduate profile

This is effectively a 'capstone' subject that brings together aspects of students' prior learning in the

course to be applied in the practical context of an actual indigenous community organisation. It aims to give students a greater awareness of the specific issues affecting indigenous community organisations including particular organisational, social, political, economic and cultural aspects. This subject provides an opportunity for students an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a dynamic

environment and also develop and apply key personal and professional skills essential for work in the community sector.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students will learn through a combination of set readings, lectures, workshop exercises, case studies and written assignments requiring them to apply concepts to their own work environment. Where appropriate, students will also be expected to conduct their own research in order to complete set assessment tasks. Students will be encouraged to be active rather than passive learners. Each subject will feature three block sessions through the semester, which may include a selection of the following teaching and learning strategies:

• full lectures or mini lectures (possibly including guest speakers)
• large group discussion
• practical group exercises
• small group discussion
• student presentations (individual or group projects)
• workshops on specific practical skills
• role play.

Students are also required to maintain a regular reading schedule which may include a textbook, a prescribed set of readings and/or some selected key references. In some subjects there will also be an expectation that students will pursue their own research in areas relevant to their assessment tasks.

Central to the teaching and learning philosophy of this subject, is the integration of work based learning through assessment tasks that require students to apply theory to practice and reflect on this process in the context of their own communities and community organisations.

Required text(s)

There is no prescribed textbook for this subject. Because of the nature of the subject, no single book is suitable as a text. However, students should be able to draw on materials used in previous subjects to assist with work in this subject. Additional resources may be referred to in the subject materials or by the subject lecturer in consultation with the students on developing their learning contract, placement proposal and understanding of the organisation which they have selected for their placement.