Online Undergraduate Electives delivered by staff at the Family Action Centre
Undergraduate students in professional degrees wanting to further develop their skills in working with men and boys or volunteers or in engaging the community can undertake online courses. Current students come from a variety of professions such as nursing, social work, or occupational therapy. The courses are offered through the relevant schools. These online electives are delivered by team members at the Family Action Centre (FAC), University of Newcastle. The courses draw on the research and practice of the FAC into strength-based approaches as part of its work in human services and with communities over the past 22 years. The courses are suitable for students from a range of disciplines.
HLSC 2241 Engaging Communities: Cross Disciplinary Perspectives (Semester 1 & 2)
Engaging communities can dramatically increase the effectiveness of professional practice in a wide range of industries. Community engagement is therefore of interest to a wide range of disciplines including engineering, architecture, health, social science, social work and education. When communities are treated as partners rather than as part of the "problem", new possibilities emerge. Research and case studies from a range of fields of study will explore different perspectives and practices in engaging communities. Students will use this information to examine current practices in their particular field of study. Students will develop foundation skills to enable an awareness of principles of practice and strategies for community engagement in a diversity of settings. The course focuses on critiquing real examples of community engagement and developing practical skills.
HLSC2100 Volunteerism: Perspectives and Management (Semester 1)
Many students engage in voluntary work and/or leadership activities as part of their personal and/or professional development. Professionals in a range of fields also work with volunteers in the course of their daily practice. Volunteerism transcends disciplinary boundaries and is relevant to a broad range of professions in areas such as health, human services, education, science, engineering, and business. Important to working as, or with, volunteers is knowledge about the purpose, history functions, and contribution of volunteering. This course examines key perspectives on volunteerism, and explores the experience of working as a volunteer. Students undertaking this course will develop professional skill in the recruitment, training, management and support of volunteers. The course enables students currently engaged in voluntary work/leadership experiences to apply their learning to professional and personal development through critical reflection in light of theory on volunteerism.
HLSC2242 - Working With Men and Boys in Human Services (Semester 2)
The course will take a multi-disciplinary approach to exploring the current research into human service delivery to men and boys. The course is suitable for a wide range of students across a variety of disciplines including education, social work, medicine and allied health. Research and case studies from a range of fields of study will explore different perspectives and practices in working with men and boys. Students will use this information to examine current practices in the students particular field of study. Students will be exposed to a range of practices shown to be effective in improving service delivery in human services to men and boys. Students will reflect on their own ideas about being a man or woman working with men and boys and the implications for their own future practices.