| Code | CPSSF |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 |
| NFQ Award Title | Special Purpose |
| Fees | €990 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | 19 September 2023 |
| Next Intake | September 2023 |
| Venue | Online with in person farm visits. |
| Start Date | September 2023 |
Course Outline
Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at UCC is pleased to offer this new and innovative Certificate in Practice Support in Social Farming. This course is both inter and multi-disciplinary, informed by scholarship from law, policy studies, environment and mental health studies, communication and disability studies. This course is designed to introduce students to the practice of Social Farming, which is founded on the principles of equality, social inclusion, voluntary community development and collaboration. You will learn about the history of social farming, disability, marginalised groups and the diverse strengths, challenges and conceptualisations, including the different ways in which people with a disability and other marginalised groups experience the world. The role of the environment for mental health and wellbeing will be examined as well as the various supports and interventions that are available for people across their lifespan, and the legislation and policies that govern best practice.
This Certificate in Practice Support in Social Farming will help you to develop critical awareness of the key issues that impact on the everyday life of individuals with a disability and those of other marginalised groups within contemporary society. In addition, the variety of topics introduced, will equip you with the capacity for diverging thinking and enhance your knowledge and awareness of the benefits of social farming, especially in relation to mental, physical and social wellbeing. Please see below an introductory video about the course.
The Modules for the Certificate are as follows:
- SS1844: Social Farming in Practice
- SS1845: Disability and the Law
- SS1846: Environment and Well-Being
- SS1847: Communication in Disability Studies
- SS1848: Disability Models, Education and Work
- SS1849: Social Farming for Social Inclusion
Course Queries
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Helena O Connor at h.oconnor@ucc.ie or Belinda Gascoigne at belinda.gascoigne@ucc.ie.
For Online Application Support please click here.
If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Noreen Power at n.power@ucc.ie.
Course Practicalities
The Certificate is delivered part-time over one academic year. It carries a 30-credit value, NFQ Level 6 Award. The Certificate is ideal if you are an adult learner looking to enhance your understanding and awareness of social farming practice. Classes are structured to provide a safe learning space through a series of blended learning experiences from; online live class lectures (Monday nights), self-directed learning, experiential learning, guest speakers and enhanced by Canvas Online Learning System.
Classes are delivered through Microsoft Teams and all course materials will be provided on Canvas (UCC's online learning environment).
Classes are held on evenings and occasional Saturdays.
Modules Taught:
To access and interact with the course content, assignments, and assessments etc. students will require access to a PC/ Laptop. I-pads and notebooks are generally not compatible for full content visibility. They must also have access to a modern standards’ compliant web browser and strong internet connectivity. UCC recommends either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. To engage productively and successfully with the content, basic technical computer skills such as familiarity with word processing, web browsing, and email is recommended.
Why Choose This Course
Benefits to Learners and Their Communities
This course enables the learner, their employer or business, community organisation, voluntary group or charity, family, friends and colleagues to better support the inclusion of those often marginalised by society. Students are encouraged in their development of facilitation and advocacy skills, as well as honing both their own knowledge and confidence. Students develop a range of life skills including; self-confidence and awareness, problem solving, independent self-management and teamwork, as well as professional presentation of self, reports and assignments.
Requirements
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application. While there are no formal educational requirements, it is expected that proposed candidates will have attained Leaving Certificate/FETAC Level 5 or an equivalent qualification.
Prior experience will be taken into account and short listed candidates may be required to attend for an interview. All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or equivalent TOEFL score.
Online Offering - Technical Entry Requirements
To access and interact with the course content, assignments, and assessments etc. students will require access to a PC/ Laptop. I-pads and notebooks are generally not compatible for full content visibility. They must also have access to a modern standards’ compliant web browser and strong internet connectivity. UCC recommends either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. To engage productively and successfully with the content, basic technical computer skills such as familiarity with word processing, web browsing, and email is recommended.
Fees and Costs
€990
For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
Applicants need to be aware of the IT student checklist below before applying:
- You will need access to a laptop or desktop computer running a modern supported operating system with all software updates.
- Some of UCC’s services (e.g. the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment) link to an external site and also have mobile apps for iOS and Android Devices that you may wish to use as part of your studies. However, we recommend using your desktop web browser for submission of assessments.
- You should always use the most current version of your preferred browser. In general, we recommend the Chrome Web browser (Important Note: Internet Explorer will not work with Canvas).
- We recommend a reliable broadband connection with at least 2Mbps or more.
- You will require an Office suite of software (Microsoft Office or equivalent) and a PDF reader. You should always use the latest version of this software. All UCC students will have access to Office 365 which includes software such as Word/Excel/Powerpoint etc. once registered.
To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:
When you log into the Application Portal:
Click Apply Online
Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application
During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Birth Cert or Passport or New Driving Licence
- Passport Photograph
- English Language Test Report [if applicable]
- 50% of the fees are required to complete your application.
Year 1 Modules
- SS1844: Social Farming in Practice (5 credits)
Students will engage with social farming through practical observation. Several visits to different social farm settings will be undertaken where various approaches to the practice support needs will be examined. There will be a general introduction to the different types of social farming both in an Irish context and European context. The principles of social farming will be discussed and students will learn about the relevant national and European policy context and analyse how these impact on the operation and development of Social Farming. Students will explore how evidence-based learning, best practice and policy recommendations can contribute to the promotion and development of social farming in Ireland.
Teaching links to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 5, 10 and 16. - SS1845: Disability and the Law (5 credits)
This module focuses on various aspects of Disability and the Law from a human rights perspective, including areas such as the recently ratified UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006. Irish legislation governing the rights of persons with disabilities will also be addressed, including the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2011, the Equal Status Acts 2000-2012, the Mental Health Act 2001, the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act 2004, and the Disability Act 2005. Students will also consider the legal standing on supported decision-making theory and its practice in Irish Constitutional Law as well as Irish policy in this area.
Teaching links to Sustainable Development Goals 4, 10, 11 and 16. - SS1846: Environment and Well-Being (5 credits)
Students will review the different interventions associated with social farming in areas such as nature therapy, ecotherapy, therapeutic horticulture, facilitated green exercise, and their role within 'green care'. The module will also explore the role of farms as a provision of a positive social space in contributing positively to mental and social wellbeing. Activities to promote health and wellbeing taking place in a natural environment as both passive and active interactions will also be discussed.
Teaching links to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11, 12, 13 and 16. - SS1847: Communication in Disability Studies (5 credits)
Students will examine effective styles of communication used when interacting with people with different types of disability. Students will explore the use of positive and negative language and how to maximise communication. Barriers to effective communication and motivation will also be considered.
Teaching links to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4 and 10. - SS1848: Disability Models, Education and Work (5 credits)
Students will review the different approaches to defining and explaining disability and how models of disability influence policy and practice.
The module will also explore the development of education policy with regard to disability and current debates in this policy sphere, including segregated and mainstream education provision.
It will also explore the relationship between disability and work, addressing the barriers to employment and policy responses to same.
Teaching links to Sustainable Development Goals 5, 8, 10 and 16. - SS1849: Social Farming for Social Inclusion (5 credits)
Students will explore the role of Social Farming with regard to 'at-risk' marginalised social groups and social services. Students will explore the role of the concept of social exclusion as it relates to such groups. The module will also explore thye role and policy of the SICAP programme in supporting social farming activities.