Working with Communities: Identities, Regeneration, and Change
Main contact for this programme:
Dr Anita Franklin
Tel: 0114 222 7115
email : a.franklin@sheffield.ac.uk
Key facts
- Two and a half year part-time Foundation Degree programme
- Equivalent to Levels One and Two of a BA/BSc degree
- A dynamic and exciting new programme specifically designed for community activists and volunteers
- Experienced tutors from both academic and community work backgrounds
- A mixture of practical application and theoretical understanding
- Teaching concentrated into flexible blocks, based in both the University and the community.
- Programme code: ACE U022
About the Foundation Degree
The Foundation Degree in Working with Communities: Identities, Regeneration and Change is for those working in the community, or who are involved with community and voluntary organisations and local regeneration projects throughout Sheffield and across South Yorkshire.
It is designed to focus on the challenges facing families and communities you live and work alongside, and will give you a chance to think about how to start working towards change.
The Degree is an award for those who wish to combine study with other commitments. It is offered on a flexible basis over 2.1/2 years combining classroom-based study at the University, with community-based learning in settings of your choice.
The Foundation degree provides an opportunity to make links between your ongoing activities with your local community, and wider developments and ideas in the field of community regeneration. You will have the chance to develop a range of personal, professional and academic skills which will be of value throughout your career.
For those who wish to take their study further, the Foundation Degree will offer preparation for, and a route into, a full honours Degree.
What is a Foundation Degree?
This is a new type of degree promoted by the Government to encourage people from different kinds of backgrounds in to University.
Special features of Foundation Degrees are:
- Agencies working with communities are closely involved in the course and will support students in community based learning.
- There is emphasis on applying your new skills and knowledge to real projects of importance to people in the community.
- Learners develop personal and professional skills that are backed up by serious academic learning.
- You can extend your studies to get an honours degree if you wish.
Who should take the Foundation Degree?
- People involved with communities – you might be working in the community as paid staff or as a volunteer or activist.
- People in a range of local government or public bodies involved with community projects and the voluntary sector.
- People who are serious about changing communities.
- You don't need any qualifications to come on the Working With Communities (FdA) programme. What you need is an interest in your community and in changing it for the better, plus a willingness to share your ideas with others.
How is the course taught?
We have worked hard to develop new ways of teaching the course, so that it is flexible, part-time and frequently based in your own community or neighbourhood.
There will be both core courses and options, and you will be in the University approximately 1 day a week, as far as possible, and generally for not more than 8 hours.
Additional learning takes place in community settings to suit you.
There is a mix of teaching styles, including seminars, workshops, visits and tutorial sessions, and a variety of learning opportunities including doing research, writing case studies, and making funding applications.
Support facilities
While studying you will be eligible for full access to all the University's amenities, including the Students' Union, libraries, careers service, computer rooms and sports facilities.
For those with disabilities or other special needs extra help and support is available.
Modules
Here are some sample modules that you could take as part of the Foundation Degree in Working with Communities.
Level One
Researching with Communities
Understanding Social Exclusion
Study Skills for Higher Education (Part A)
Researching your Community
Understanding Communities
Interpersonal Skills for Community Support
Level Two
Building Sustainable Communities
Designing Projects that make a Difference
International Perspectives on Working with Communities
Healthy Communities
Regenerating Communities
Doing Projects that make a Difference
Arts, Culture and Community Practices
Social Problem Solving Skills
| 
