Community Services
Social and Community Work (A)
Social and Community Studies encourages students to become active and informed citizens. The course is designed to develop social skills leading to self-reliance, self-management, and a concern for others. Students develop an appreciation and respect for diversity in the community, encouraging responsible attitudes and behaviours for effective participation in the local and wider community. Students are encouraged to think critically, creatively, and constructively about their community and environment, and their future role in it. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop personal, interpersonal, and citizenship skills. Students are provided with opportunities to engage in practical experiences in the areas of childcare, aged care, disability, and youth work through work placements (WEX), excursions, guest speakers and volunteer work. This is a great opportunity to enrich their learning, and to further develop skills and knowledge required to work in the community services and health sectors. These are all attributes that are highly valued in any workplace. Students apply learnt practical skills to various areas of their lives, from work to study, and personal development, ensuring they are well-prepared for real -world challenges.
The nature of the course requires students to regularly participate in small group and class discussions, and at times, includes some discussions of sensitive topics.
Students at Dickson will study the following units:
Unit 1: Community Organisations
Students examine theories that explain the development and work of community-based organisations in contemporary communities and societies. They investigate how organisations address the needs of the person in their environment. Students critically analyse the discourses, ideas and experiences that underlie the organisations developed to meet these needs. They develop knowledge and skills that will assist them in working in the Community Services sector.
Unit 2: Societies and Communities
Students examine theories that explain the opportunities and challenges faced by contemporary diverse communities and societies, including Australian First Nations Peoples. They critically analyse the lived experience of people, and they identify the discourses that inform policy responses from government and non-government stakeholders, including those with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Students develop knowledge and skills that will assist them in working in the community sector.
Unit 3: Children and Young People
Students examine theories that explain the opportunities and challenges faced by children and young people in contemporary communities and societies. They critically analyse the rights and lived experience of children and young people, and they identify the discourses that inform policy responses to their issues from government and non-government stakeholders. Students develop knowledge and skills that will assist them in working in the children and youth support sector.
Unit 4: Contemporary Ageing
Students examine theories that explain the opportunities and challenges faced by older people in contemporary and diverse communities and societies. They critically analyse the rights and lived experience of older people and identify the discourses that inform policy responses from government and non-government stakeholders. Students develop knowledge and skills that will assist them in working in the aged care sector.
Students who wish to undertake a minor in Social and Community may complete two or three semester units. Students completing a major in Social and Community need to complete all four semesters over the two years.