Module Descriptor (CUR03) Section A 1

Module Title Participatory Approaches to Community Engagement

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SITS Module Code UL411986

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SCQF Level 11

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SCQF Credit Points 20

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Module Leader (and contact details) Dr Jayne Glass Centre for Mountain Studies, Perth College UHI [email protected] 01738 877876/07530 801469 Module Team Members (and contact details if applicable) Dr Sarah-Anne Muñoz, Centre for Rural Health [email protected]

Subject Network/Scheme Science, Environment and Rural Resource Management/Sustainability Studies

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Exam Board and Exam Board Sub-Group Science, Health and Education Postgraduate, SHED-SUST

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Most Recent Revision May 2012

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Semester Semester 2

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Student Numbers in Previous Academic Session (if applicable)

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Minimum/Maximum Student Numbers Modules will not normally run with less than 5 students

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Pre-/Co-requisites Normal entry requirements

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Mode of Study Give estimate of proportions of mode of study, but also highlight main mode of study. Face to Face Video-conference Interactive online/self directed Audio conference Self-directed study Other... TOTAL

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% % 100% % % % 100%

__hours __hours 200 hours __hours __hours __hours 200 hours

Assessment Assessment 1 (self-reflective diary – 15%): The student will be expected to prepare and complete a weblog over the duration of the course. The student will use the weblog to develop ideas and insights, record feelings, comments and engagement in a participatory learning process.

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Assessment 2 (critical case study analysis – 35%): The student will be provided with an engagement case study that includes a podcast of engagement event. With reference to the initiative/case study the student will critically analyse the case study with reference to policy, engagement guidance and theory from the module. Assessment 3 (designing an engagement process – 50%): The student will be provided with a decision-making issue and, with reference to policy, guidance and theory, will create a sample engagement methodology and justify this methodology with reference to the literature as well as the specific issue and community to be engaged. To pass the module overall, you must get at least 40% in each of the assignments and the discussion board, as well as an overall weighted mark of at least 50% (as per UHI Taught Postgraduate regulations )

TYPE Examination (open/closed) Essay/Report/Critique Groupwork Practical (short research project) Oral Presentation Other...weblog

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WEIGHT % 35% % 50% % 15%

STYLE

SUBMISSION

1500 words

Week 8

3000 words

Week 12

Online diary

Week 12 (ongoing)

Experiential Education

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Work Placement

Competition

Volunteering

Summer School

Study Abroad

Simulations

Service Learning

Research Project

Job Shadowing

Internship

Guest Lecture

Field Trip

Co-operative Education

Community Engagement

Clinical Practice

Case Studies

Capstone Course

Tick all that apply

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Specialist Learning Resources For all online modules students will require a modern PC with a broadband connection. A compatibility test for e-learning students using the VLE is available here

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Additional Costs to Students None

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Quality Enhancement Flexible Delivery; Employability; Integrative assessment, with the opportunity for selfreflection

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Employability / Graduate skills Community and stakeholder engagement is now a statutory requirement for most public organisations and is considered best practice in socially responsible business decisionmaking and practice. This module will equip students, professionals working within service delivery organisations (public, private and third sector), and other stakeholders, with theoretical and practical knowledge of the processes and applications of public participation in planning, policy and decision-making. This module is also available as a standalone CPD award in Community Engagement.

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Students will develop a critical understanding of the theory and practice of participation. Students will be guided through the history and policy background of this important topic, while also being expected to engage critically with key academic concepts and explore a range of strategies for facilitating and contributing to successful participatory processes. A ‘hands-on’ approach will also allow the development of skills for the design and delivery of engagement processes, through the use of interactive material, based on real case studies.

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Section B 21

Participatory Approaches to Community Engagement

Module Summary This module provides an introduction to public engagement for decision making (organisational and otherwise) and explores how conflict may best be prevented through participatory decision-making processes. This course would be appropriate for a wide range of students, including those with management responsibilities in:

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public sector organisations (e.g. NHS, Police, government agencies); third sector and charitable organisations (e.g. conservation organisations, social enterprises); industry and private business (e.g. renewable energy developers, land managers); and community groups and organisations (e.g. development trusts, community councils).

The course is delivered by an interdisciplinary teaching team with knowledge of engagement in national and international contexts. The module focuses on place-contextual public engagement, which is not offered by other engagement courses/training. There is a focus on remote and rural areas and a broad range of contexts is considered (using examples from ‘real’ environment, health and social care case studies). This place-based approach will also make the course appealing to members of community organisations who would like to engage more effectively with organisations and other community groups.

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Module Keywords Participation; community engagement; consensus building

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Module Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, students will:

1. Have a comprehensive understanding of the concept, theory and drivers for public engagement.

2. Be able to apply a range of public engagement methods and techniques to different contexts as appropriate, with understanding of the resources required for each method/technique.

3. Have a critical understanding of the potential positive and negative implications, impacts and outcomes of public engagement on the various actors and stakeholders involved in, or affected by, the process. 4. Be able to translate learning from existing models of good practice to real-life situations and evaluate the success of public engagement exercises.

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Indicative Content Public engagement theory and concepts: an introduction Critical exploration of the meaning of public engagement in both historical and contemporary contexts. Analysis of key concepts, including: participation, community development and empowerment, consensus building, social capital, partnership working and dialogue.

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Contemporary policy drivers of engagement: why engage anyway? Understanding the range of public policy drivers related to public engagement: examples from international, national and local governments (including non-UK examples), statutory planning processes etc. Discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks for public, private and third sector organisations getting involved in public engagement for decision making. Use of case study material to illustrate and for critical reflection. Public engagement challenges Consideration of the role of conflict and power relations (including values, interests, concerns and positions), representation challenges, reactions to change, obstacles to participation and factors affecting outcomes. Use of podcast/video case study. Approaches to public engagement: an overview Critical consideration of participation typologies. Overview of a wide range of methods and how these link to typologies. Discussion of a spectrum of approaches, including those that feature: consultation, deliberation, co-decision-making and mediation. Additional analysis of ‘creative’ techniques and exploration of the basics of ‘good dialogue’. Who does what? Engagement within different sectors and contexts How engagement can/should differ for different types of decision making. Selection of case studies from different sectors (health care, environment etc.). Involving children and hard to reach groups. Designing a public engagement process Analysis of national standards of engagement; identifying the needs of participants; deciding on objectives; elements of successful co-planning and design. Introduction to stakeholder analysis using case study examples. Engaging in different contexts: one size does not fit all Engagement in rural areas, contextual factors that affect choice of approach. Engagement within research processes (e.g. action research, stakeholder involvement in research design and outcomes). Exploring the possibility of designing a distinct method. The role of mediation and conflict resolution. Practical methods training Consideration of a range of techniques, including focus groups, roundtables and scenario planning. Public event techniques and visual methodologies: graphic recording, participatory mapping, open space, voting systems. Including ‘hard to reach groups’: flexible engagement, interviews, nominal group technique and use of alternative view collection. Methods that enhance deliberation and dialogue. Examples include: citizens’ panels; consensus conferences; planning for real. Consideration of visual methodologies and participatory mapping, alongside use of narrative and performing arts. Introduction to concept of co-production (links to other module). Measuring the success of public engagement The benefits of evaluation. Approaches to evaluation: use of indicators and toolkits to determine success; participatory evaluation techniques. Use of case studies for practical evaluation exercise.

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