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DES303Social Sciences Unitsintermediate

Introduction to Community Development

This course provides learners with fundamental knowledge and practical skills for community development. It explores concepts, theories, and participatory approaches. Students will learn to analyze community needs, design impactful projects, and implement solutions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The course emphasizes ethical considerations, collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation techniques. It aims to foster social responsibility and contribute to societal well-being in the Nigerian context.

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52h
Study Time
13
Weeks
4h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Community DevelopmentParticipatory ApproachesSustainable DevelopmentNeeds AssessmentVolunteerism

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Community Development Theories

2

Community Needs Assessment

3

Project Planning and Implementation

4

Sustainable Development Goals

5

Volunteerism

6

Ethical Considerations

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

practical evaluation

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Community Development Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Project Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

NGO Coordinator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Development Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-profitInternational DevelopmentSocial ServicesCommunity Planning

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

MODULE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 1: Definition of Community Development

4 study hours
  • •Define community development from various perspectives
  • •Identify key features of communities
  • •Distinguish between assumptions and fallacies
  • •Explain the origins of community development
Week
2

MODULE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 2: Introduction to Basic Theories and Concepts of Community Development

4 study hours
  • •Define key terms related to community development theories
  • •Identify different perspectives: consensus, pluralist, structuralist
  • •Discuss the impact of paradigms on social policy
  • •Apply theories to case studies in Nigeria
Week
3

MODULE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 3: Introduction to Approaches to Community Development and Volunteerism

4 study hours
  • •Define and differentiate between approaches to community development
  • •Analyze strengths and limitations of different approaches
  • •Discuss top-down, bottom-up, participatory, and integrated approaches
  • •Define volunteerism in community development
Week
4

MODULE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 4: Introduction to Key Principles and Values of Community Development.

4 study hours
  • •Define key principles and values of community development
  • •Explain the importance of principles in guiding efforts
  • •Analyze how principles apply to real-world scenarios in Nigeria
  • •Reflect on your role in upholding values
Week
5

MODULE TWO: INTRODUCTION TO ISSUES AND TRENDS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 1: Overview of Current trends in Community Development

4 study hours
  • •Identify roles of key players in community development globally and in Nigeria
  • •Understand how public policies influence practices
  • •Appreciate roles of government, NGOs, and community organizations
  • •Identify trends and actors in Nigeria
Week
6

MODULE TWO: INTRODUCTION TO ISSUES AND TRENDS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 2: The Landscape of Community Development in Nigeria & Development Agencies in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Understand the evolution of community development approaches in Nigeria
  • •Identify key players in Nigeria
  • •Understand how policies shape project focus
  • •Recognize actors from government to NGOs
Week
7

MODULE TWO: INTRODUCTION TO ISSUES AND TRENDS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Unit 3: Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & Development Agencies in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • •Identify the 17 SDGs and their objectives
  • •Recognize Nigeria's Alignment with the SDGs
  • •Recognize trends, opportunities, and challenges in aligning community development with the SDGs
Week
8

Module 3:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

4h

Unit 1: Introduction to Basic Elements of Community Project Planning, Design and Implementation

4 study hours
  • •Understand the importance of community project planning and design
  • •Identify the key elements of community project planning and design
  • •Explain diverse approaches to community project planning design and implementation.
Week
9

Module 3:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

4h

Unit 2: Introduction to Community Needs Assessment and Ethics in Community Development

4 study hours
  • •Define a community needs assessment.
  • •Understand ethics in community development
  • •Understand the importance of ethics and needs assessment in community development.
Week
10

Module 3:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

4h

Unit 3: Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation of Community Projects

4 study hours
  • •Understand Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) definitions and their distinctions.
  • •Explain the importance of M & E in the context of community development.
  • •Explain different techniques of evaluation.
Week
11

MODULE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Module 1 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review key concepts from Module 1
  • •Discuss case studies
  • •Prepare for assignments
Week
12

MODULE TWO: INTRODUCTION TO ISSUES AND TRENDS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

4h

Module 2 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review key concepts from Module 2
  • •Discuss case studies
  • •Prepare for assignments
Week
13

Module 3:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

4h

Module 3 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review key concepts from Module 3
  • •Discuss case studies
  • •Prepare for assignments

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking theories from Units 2-4 in Module 1

2

Practice applying VMOSA framework to sample projects from Module 3

3

Review case studies from Units 1-3 in Module 2 and identify key success factors

4

Focus on ethical considerations in needs assessment from Unit 2 Module 3

5

Practice writing project proposals incorporating SDGs from Unit 3 Module 2

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