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PAD328

Community Development and Social Change

This course provides an in-depth exploration of community development and social change. It examines the meaning and intricacies of community development, the processes of social change, and the connection between the two. The course covers various theories of development, dimensions of social change, and the role of traditional institutions. It also discusses micro and macro approaches to social change and explores case studies in community development and social change.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
208 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of PAD328, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PAD328 · Unit 1: THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The United Nations Organization (1962) cited in Filani (2000) defined community development as ―the process which the efforts of the people themselves are united with those of the government authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of communities to integrate those communities into the life of the nation and to enable them contribute fully to national progress.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the meaning of community development
  2. Discuss forms of social change
  3. Analyze types of social change
  4. Explain measurement of change in Rural areas
  5. Discuss traditional institutions and their transformation

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Community Development Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Policy Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Rural Development Consultant
Where it is applied
  • Government
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • International Development
  • Community Planning
  • Social Services

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 3:

    Unit 2: Social Movement and Contemporary Challenges in Nigeria

    The unit requires understanding of complex historical and socio-political factors influencing social movements in Nigeria.

  • Module 5:

    Unit 4: Mobilizing Financial Resources for Community Development

    The unit requires understanding of complex financial and economic concepts.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:
    • Unit 1: THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT · 3 hours

      Read the introduction and learning outcomes.. Understand the meaning of development and its indices.. Analyze the meaning and objectives of community development..

  2. Week 2Module 1:
    • Unit 2: SOCIAL CHANGE · 3 hours

      Discuss the agents of social change.. Analyse forms of social change.. Evaluate the meaning and difference between change and social change..

  3. Week 3Module 1:
    • Unit 3: COMMUNITY AS A UNIT OF SOCIAL CHANGE · 3 hours

      Discuss the meaning of community.. Analyse early communities.. Evaluate, identify and explain types of communities..

  4. Week 4Module 1:
    • Unit 4: MICRO AND MACRO APPROACHES TO SOCIAL CHANGE · 3 hours

      Discuss types of social change activity.. Analyse goals of social change activity.. Evaluate the different approaches to social change..

  5. Week 5Module 1:
    • Unit 5: ELEMENTS AND PROCESSES OF CHANGE · 3 hours

      Discuss the meaning of change.. Analyse the space/ opportunities for community members to develop.. Evaluate the concept of community organizing..

  6. Week 6Module 2:
    • Unit 1: Dimensions of Social Change · 3 hours

      Discuss the dimensions of social change.. Analyse the meaning of change.. Evaluate the difference between dimensions of change..

  7. Week 7Module 2:
    • Unit 2: OVERVIEW OF THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT-I · 3 hours

      Discuss the stipulations of Classical Theory.. Analyse the difference between the theories.. Evaluate their limitations..

  8. Week 8Module 2:
    • Unit 3: OVERVIEW OF THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT- II · 3 hours

      Discuss the stipulations of Dual Economy Theory.. Analyse the difference between the theories.. Evaluate their limitations..

  9. Week 9Module 2:
    • Unit 4: TYPES OF SOCIAL CHANGES · 3 hours

      Discuss types of social change.. Analyse the meaning of social change.. Evaluate phases and evolution of traditional institutions..

  10. Week 10Module 2:
    • Unit 5: MEASUREMENT OF CHANGE IN RURAL AREAS · 3 hours

      Discuss models of change in rural areas.. Analyse expected changes in rural areas.. Evaluate the meaning of rural areas..

  11. Week 11Module 3:
    • Unit 1: RESISTANT AND CONDUCTIVE FORCES OF CHANGE · 3 hours

      Discuss resistant forces of change.. Analyse conductive forces of change.. Evaluate differences in the various resistant forces to change.

    • Unit 2: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND CHANGES IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA · 3 hours

      Discuss the formation of groups. Analyse the assumptions in group dynamics. Evaluate Approaches to social movement.

  12. Week 12Module 3:
    • Unit 3: THEORIES OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS · 3 hours

      Discuss stipulations of Deprivation theory of social movements.. Analyse stipulations of Mass Society theory of social movements.. Evaluate the difference between theories of social movements.

    • Unit 4: THE MEANING OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS · 3 hours

      Discuss traditional institutions in Nigeria. Analyse meaning of tradition. Evaluate the functions of traditional institutions.

  13. Week 13Module 3:
    • Unit 5: TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR TRANSFORMATION CONTENTS · 3 hours

      Discuss powers of traditional leaders in the precolonial era and contemporary times. Analyse the difference in roles of community associations and traditional institutions. Evaluate the importance of community leaders.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create concept maps linking Modules 1-2 development theories
  • Review case studies in Module 4, noting key success/failure factors
  • Practice applying social change dimensions from Module 2 to real-world scenarios
  • Focus on understanding the roles of traditional institutions from Module 3
  • Develop examples for each community asset type from Module 5

Questions students ask about this course

What is PAD328 about?

This course provides an in-depth exploration of community development and social change. It examines the meaning and intricacies of community development, the processes of social change, and the connection between the two. The course covers various theories of development, dimensions of social change, and the role of traditional institutions. It also discusses micro and macro approaches to social change and explores case studies in community development and social change.

How many units does PAD328 have?

PAD328, Community Development and Social Change, has 25 units across 5 modules, over 191 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PAD328?

PAD328 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Management Sciences.

Is PAD328 hard?

PAD328 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does PAD328 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 25 units.

How is PAD328 assessed?

PAD328 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with PAD328?

Community Development Officer, Social Worker, Policy Analyst, Project Manager and Rural Development Consultant.

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