Community Development Course Notes at Murdoch University

Overview of Community Development Course at Murdoch University

  • Instructor Background

    • Cameron Tero, lecturer in Community Development

    • Five years of teaching experience; prior involvement in community development in Perth and regional Western Australia.

  • Course Structure

    • Bachelor of Arts in Community Development: a three-year course.

    • Options to major in Community Development as a single major or combine with other studies such as:

    • Sustainable Development

    • International Aid and Development

    • Sociology

    • Journalism

    • Film Production

    • Flexibility in studies allows for a minor in Community Development or combined majors with outside fields.

  • Student Demographics

    • Diverse student backgrounds, motivated to make a difference in their local communities, state, or globally.

    • Interests include:

    • Human rights

    • Activism

    • Community improvement on local and international scales.

Course Focus and Goals

  • Purpose of the Course

    • Equip students with skills for positive community impact.

  • Key Units Offered

    • Creative Ways to Work with Community

    • Social Policy and Community Change

    • Focus on understanding and influencing social policy for community well-being.

    • Strong emphasis on Indigenous community development within Australia.

    • All units maintain a practical focus, taught by community practitioners from various fields.

Teaching Methodology

  • Learning Approach

    • Courses start with community stories to draw theoretical and practical insights.

    • Aim to learn from real-world experiences and identify successful community development practices.

    • Emphasis on storytelling as a key educational tool.

  • Practical Tasks and Experiences

    • Involvement in placements at community organizations as part of the curriculum.

    • Tasks include:

    • Funding submissions and project proposals

    • Preparing social policy briefing papers

    • Engaging in various creative and practical community tasks.

Career Outcomes for Graduates

  • Potential Job Opportunities

    • Graduates pursue diverse careers, including:

    • Local and state government positions

    • Employment in community arts organizations

    • Work with remote Indigenous communities

    • Roles in homelessness services

    • Community liaison positions for private companies (e.g., resource companies)

    • Town planning and other sectors.

  • End Goal

    • Graduates equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to enact change in their communities, both local and global.