This two year part-time course is open to those who are interested in working with groups in a community setting through physical activity, either as a volunteer or in a professional capacity. The course is very practical and aims to develop vocational skills for those working in the youth, community and sport sector.

The course introduces you to the theory and practice of youth and community work principles, and the theory and practice of sports studies and physical activity. There is an emphasis on the development of skills and on personal learning, combined with reflective assignments to foster integration of the two.

Click on any module code for a detailed module description.

Modules are as follows:

Year 1 Modules:

• AD1858: Group Work Skills (5 credits)
  This module will examine communication and listening skills as the foundation for facilitation and group work. It will then proceed to develop students' skills in group facilitation. Presentation and report writing skills will also be developed.
• AD1867: Introduction to Youth and Community Work (10 credits)
  This module will examine the history and development of youth and community work. The area will be explored and defined, and the module will consider the value systems, theoretical approaches, interventions and their application to practical youth and community work settings. The structure of the youth service and the community sector will be examined in the context of broader Irish society.
• AD1884: Introduction to Physical Activity (10 credits)
  This module will explore the basic principles and practice of physical activity from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
• AD1885: Lifespan Development (5 credits)
  This module will explore psychological, socio/emotional and physical development from birth to death.

Year 2 Modules:

• SS2801: Practice Placement - Youth and Community Work (10 credits)
  This module affords students the opportunity to apply their learning to a practice context in the field of Youth and Community Work and exercise theoretical learning and skills development through praxis. Students will also engage in reflective learning through the supervision process.
• SS2802: Models of Youth and Community Work (5 credits)
  The models of community work are explored such as Community Organisation, Community Care, Community Development and Community Action. Volunteer monitoring, management and development is explored. Hurley & Tracey's Models of Youth work will be examined in addition to new developments in the Youth and Community Work Sector.
• SS2813: Social Analysis: Disadvantage and Social Exclusion (5 credits)
  Introduce the concepts of prejudice, discrimination, poverty and social exclusion; subjects of class, race, gender, ethnicity, sectarianism, sexuality, disability. Look at empowerment and the role of youth and community work in affecting social change.
• SS2814: Managing Youth and Community Youth Projects (10 credits)
  This module will provide students with the practical skills of running projects, strategic planning, identifying funding sources, working with official documents, managing records and writing reports. Students will also become familiar with management structures of various agencies.

The course will be wholly assessed through continuous assessment, using a variety of assessment methods combining written assignments and practical demonstrations.

Staff on the course are drawn from interdisciplinary backgrounds but all have practice experience in the youth & community sector.