Unit rationale, description and aim
Engaging in business practices which strive to contribute to the common good, to enhance the dignity and wellbeing of people and communities especially those who are marginalised or disadvantaged is an important responsibility for business and reinforces the University’s Core Curriculum and Mission and commitment to serving the common good and for the dignity of all human beings. Further, the ability to communicate effectively in any workplace is crucial. This unit covers multifaceted business communications concepts to enable effective interaction. In addition, this unit aims to build knowledge and understanding of four key principles of community engagement: critical reflection, active learning, student involvement in service-learning and civic engagement experiences. In this unit, students will develop an awareness of the types of contributions individuals and organisations make to the community, by communicating and connecting the business skills developed in the Peter Faber Business School and their application within communities at local, national and international levels. In this unit, students will volunteer their time to assist poor, vulnerable and marginalised groups supported by social enterprises, not for profits organisations, and incorporated community groups. and not for profits. Students will further develop cultural awareness and apply their knowledge of community engagement and the skills from their Business degree through a volunteer placement which contributes to the achievement of social and civic responsibility in the wider community. This will be achieved through participation in volunteer experience within a social enterprise, not for profit organization or incorporated groups for up to 70 hours but with a minimum of 35 hours.
The aim of this unit is to foster knowledge and understanding of community engagement and its application within marginalised or disadvantaged communities while applying ethical, personal communication and professional business skills developed within the Peter Faber Business School environment.
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 policies, strategies and approaches to bui...
Learning Outcome 01
Examine the principles and focus of community enga...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply knowledge of communication practices, inform...
Learning Outcome 03
Construct, implement and communicate strategies re...
Learning Outcome 04
Reflect upon the impact of the community engagemen...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- introduction to community engagement and the nexus between business and community organisations
- principles and focus of community engagement including ethical and social responsibilities and contributions to achieving sustainable outcomes for the placement organisations as their contribution to the sustainability of these organisations.
- policies, strategies and approaches to building safe and supportive environments for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults
- work appropriate behaviour, work readiness strategies, personal and professional business skill development that will focus on integrating knowledge to help students make the transition to employment
- preparation to engage directly with a social enterprise, not for profit organisations, and incorporated community groups.
- multifaceted cultural awareness, critical reflection, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders and social media.
- Negotiating and persuasion
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to pass this unit, students are required to complete a compulsory hurdle task: complete online modules that examine cultural awareness and submit your completion certificate. The unit also requires submission of two graded assessment tasks and achievement of an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking of assessments will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure their level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will also be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the Unit. The assessment strategy for this Unit is designed to ensure reflection, understanding of a community engagement and provides the opportunity to share and learn from experience. The assessment of this Unit allows students to develop their knowledge and skills of community engagement to the point where they can effectively complete their volunteer experience and submit a reflective report on their learning from the experience and knowledge and skills gained throughout the unit. To develop this level of capability, students will demonstrate their knowledge of community engagement in developing and reporting on social innovation concepts and interpret their reflections and learnings from the “lived experience” of their placement in the final assessment task.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Online quiz and placement This...
Assessment Task 1: Online quiz and placement
This assessment task consists of completing an online quiz and Placement Application for 35-70 hours of community engagement placement. The online quiz aims to prepare students for their placement by demonstrating their understanding of policies, strategies and approaches to building a supportive environments for children, young people and vulnerable adults, while being aware of cultural differences.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Online quiz and placement
Artefact: Placement application and quiz
15%
Assessment Task 2: Social Innovation Report This...
Assessment Task 2: Social Innovation Report
This assessment consists of a 2000-word written report. This task requires students to locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information to develop a social innovation of their own, or review an existing social innovation while being aware of cultural differences, and communicate it to various stakeholders in a structured report. The purpose of this assessment is for students to develop an understanding of social innovation and community engagement, its principles, types and strategies, and how it can support the common good.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Report
Artefact: Written report
40%
Assessment Task 3: Placement Report Students are...
Assessment Task 3: Placement Report
Students are to keep and maintain a Community Journal based on their placement. This task requires students to complete their placement and submit a Placement Report including reflections related to their learnings from that placement, The Report should include the impact of the community engagement experience on student’s values, assumptions and attitudes and how they can contribute to the sustainability of the placement organisation using their business professional skills.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Report/ Written or Oral
Artefact: Written Report or Oral Presentation
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This Unit takes a transformational learning approach to guide students in the development of knowledge associated with community engagement and the nexus with business sustainability practices. Students are able to explore knowledge underpinning community engagement in a series of workshops. These workshops are designed to support students to actively take part in the development of knowledge. Students will systematically develop their understanding of the critical aspects of community engagement and how to prepare for and participate in volunteer experience within a social enterprise, community group or not for profit organisation. This Unit takes an experiential approach to support students in developing work appropriate behaviours, work readiness strategies, and the reflective and communications skills required to maximise the outcomes of their volunteer experience by sharing stories and insights and reflecting on experiences. This approach is designed to interest students who prefer to learn within a social environment and build skills for future community engagement that are linked to business acumen and contribute to the placement organisational sustainability.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.