Unit rationale, description and aim
In a time of rising inequality and complex social challenges, engaging meaningfully with social justice issues has never been more crucial. This capstone unit invites students to explore what makes authentic community connections and collaborative action possible in the pursuit of social change. It focuses on building understanding of what it means to connect across difference – including cultural, economic, and social difference – while critically examining how power, privilege, and systemic barriers shape relationships.
Students will enhance their capacity for ethical engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and reflective practice, as well as their capacity to contribute meaningfully to community wellbeing and the pursuit of a more just society by undertaking a placement in one of: direct-service, approved project, or research-based community engagement experience (as available in that study period). This hands-on involvement is paired with scholarly exploration and reflection, allowing students to apply analytical, research, and critical thinking skills developed throughout their studies.
The unit recognises that community engagement is an important basis for effective social justice work, which can be done through the combination of knowledge from scholarly research, lived experience and practical work.
The unit aims to develop graduates who see community connections as part of their personal and professional responsibilities.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain community engagement theory, power dynamic...
Learning Outcome 01
Implement strategies in ethical engagement, collab...
Learning Outcome 02
Report on a completed meaningful community engagem...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
All students will undertake one of:
· 25-hour direct-service experience in a community setting selected from ACU Community Engagement options,
· approved project-based community engaged experience, or
· approved research-based community engaged experience.
Students will also undertake learning activities to contextualise and support their community engagement experiences. Topics will include:
- the foundations and models of community engagement in the past and present
- the evolving relationship between communities and organisations that serve them
- social justice frameworks, such as intersectionality and decolonising approaches
- understandings of ethical collaboration practices
- critical analysis of power dynamics
- development of self-awareness regarding positionality
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment procedures develop graduate attributes and meet unit learning outcomes consistent with University requirements. As a Community Engagement unit, students must complete all assessment tasks and meet specified attendance requirements.
The unit includes a hurdle requirement: Students must complete all pre- and post-and documentation required for their Community Engagement Experience and follow any directions associated with it. It also requires students to acknowledge relevant ACU policies, such as the student code of conduct and social media policy. Participation in the approved project or research-based community engagement activity needs to be completed to the satisfaction of the National Lecturer-In-Charge. Attendance at all tutorials/workshops connected to the modules in this Community Engagement unit is also required.
Three graded assessment tasks progressively build capabilities: The first task involves researching the context where the community engagement experience will be undertaken. The second task requires critical analysis of placement experience, and connecting this to the frameworks and concepts that define effective community engagement and collaborations that support social justice. The final reflective task requires students to express and consider what they have learned throughout the unit and in range of ways, and to examine how this experience might inform how they respond to social justice issues and community connections in the future. In order to pass the unit the student must complete the Community Engaged hurdle tasks including attending the required classes, and submit the three formal assessment tasks.
Overview of assessments
Hurdle Task: Completion of Community Engagement...
Hurdle Task:
Completion of Community Engagement Experience and associated requirements:
- Completion of all pre-Community Engagement forms and documentation
- 25 hours of direct-service experience and submission of written confirmation that this has been completed; or participation in the approved project or research-based community engagement activity to the satisfaction of the National Lecturer-In-Charge
- Completion of all post-Community Engagement forms and documentation
- Attendance at all tutorials/workshops connected to Community Engagement learning activities.
Pass/Fail
Assessment Taks 1: Community Context Research Co...
Assessment Taks 1: Community Context Research
Conduct research to investigate the community context and social issues central to your engagement experience. You will need to locate and analyse data about the community's strengths, challenges, and priorities, as well as the broader social, economic, and political factors that shape these conditions. This will be presented in an oral, written or digital format as specified by the lecturer.
40%
Assessment Task 2: Critical Analysis of Community...
Assessment Task 2: Critical Analysis of Community Engagement Practices and Experience
Students will critically analyse the community engagement experience by considering relevant theoretical frameworks and concepts examined in the unit modules, such as social justice & power, community advocacy and connections, and ethical modes of collaboration. This will be presented in an oral, written or digital format as specified by the lecturer. This task lays a foundation for Assessment 3.
20%
Assessment Task 3: Reflective Task Students will...
Assessment Task 3: Reflective Task
Students will present a reflection in an oral format and respond to questions posed by fellow students and/or members of the teaching and assessment team. The purpose of this task is for students to demonstrate their understanding of community engagement principles and practice. Students need to reflect on connections between theoretical frameworks and practical experiences, and also consider future activities to support social justice and community connections.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The approach taken in this unit is one of Community Engaged Learning, supported by a range of in class or online experiences. It integrates theoretical knowledge with authentic practice to develop competent and ethically-aware undergraduate students.