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Details for SSC215 Group and Community Work

Understanding group dynamics and community leadership is essential for supporting effective change in group settings. This unit equips students with the skills to lead and develop communities while integrating both sociological and Christian perspectives. Through hands-on experiences, students will learn to manage ethical issues and apply professional standards, preparing them to positively impact community and group work settings.

Quick Stats

  • Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
  • Course code: SSC215
  • Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Jo McDonough

Prerequisite

The following subject may be completed as a pre-requisite or co-requisite:

  • SSC113 Interpersonal Communication Skills 

Unit Content

Outcomes

  1. Discuss group and community principles and processes and how they can influence change processes;
  2. Apply group and community principles and processes in small group, class-based contexts;
  3. Critically reflect on past and current group and community experiences alongside your class and personal research to understand your current practice and develop personal development plans;
  4. Demonstrate the ability to identify ethical and professional issues arising in group or community work and to apply a professional framework to effectively handle these issues.

Subject Content

  • Introduction, understanding community work and group work
  • Experiential learning
  • Goals: SMART goals, Interdependence
  • Group Communication: Sending & Receiving, Communication networks, Roles, Seating positions, Humour
  • Leadership
  • Power: Constructive vs. destructive power, Dynamic interdependence, Trait theory, Social Exchange Theory 
  • Decision making
  • Controversy Theory, Creativity Theory
  • Managing conflicts of interest, Negotiations
  • Valuing diversity, Managing barriers
  • Cooperative groups: Formal, informal, base
  • Leading growth & counselling groups, Types of therapeutic groups, Team building

This course may be offered in the following formats

  • Onsite (face-to-face)
  • Online (eLearning)
  • Intensives
  • Extensives

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

  • Learning Portfolio (40%)
  • Exam (20%)
  • Group Leadership and Reflection Project Plan (20%)
  • Group Leadership and Reflection Reflection (20%)

Prescribed Text

  • Johnson, D.W. & Johnson, F.P. (2017). Joining together: Group theory and group skills (12th ed.). Pearson.

Please consult your instructor prior to purchasing any textbooks.