Analyzing Australian Social Problems through the Lens of Community Development

Posted: April 4th, 2019

Assessment Brief
Program Bachelor of Applied Social Science
Subject Community Development
Subject code WEL 301A
Name of assessment Assessment 2: Power Point presentation and report
Length
Presentation: Minimum 7 slides
Report: 1000 words
Learning outcomes addressed
by this assessment: A, C
Submission Date: End of week 6, Sunday 11.55 pm
Assessment brief summary: Power point presentation and report.
Total marks 30
Weighting 30%
Students are advised that any submissions past the due date incur a 10% penalty per day, calculated from the
total mark e.g. a task marked out of 40 will incur a 4 mark penalty per day.
Please note: you must attempt all tasks in a subject to be eligible to pass the subject.
More information, please refer to the Academic Progression Policy on http://www.think.edu.au/about‐think/think‐
quality/our‐policies.
BASS – WEL301A, AB 2 Page 2
Assessment Description:
Community development work integrates theory and practice.
Identify a social problem in Australia today and present relevant theories and principles of
community development which apply to this issue.
Discuss the appropriate direction for change and possible evidence‐based solutions.
An “Australian social problem” might be i.e. homelessness, domestic violence, child
abuse and neglect, unemployment, ageing population, etc.
Please consider which sections of the population are disproportionately affected and
how change might come about.
Grading Matrix:
Max. in
category
Your
points
Answering the question and responding to the topic 10
Links to theories and concepts 10
Number and choice of appropriate references 4
Word count, readability, and structure 3
In‐text references and reference list, accuracy and use of correct
referencing style
3
Total: 30
Comments:
BASS – WEL301A, AB 2 Page 3
What we want to see:
The work must be fully referenced with in-text citations and a reference list at the end. We
recommend you work with your Academic Writing Write My Essay Today: No1 Essay Writing Service AU for Your Academic Papers – Guide to ensure that you reference correctly. You
will find a link to this document on the main page of every unit, under the ‘Assessments’ section.
Correct academic writing and referencing are essential tasks that you need to learn. We
recommend a minimum of ten references.
Referencing: References are assessed for their quality. You should draw on quality academic
sources, such as books, chapters from edited books, journals etc. Your textbook can be used as a
reference, but not the Study Write My Essay Today: No1 Essay Writing Service AU for Your Academic Papers – Guide and lecture notes. We want to see evidence that you are capable
of conducting your own research. Also, in order to help markers determine students’ understanding
of the work they cite, all in-text references (not just direct quotes) must include the specific page
number/s if shown in the original.
Researching: You can search for peer-reviewed journal articles, which you can find in the online
journal databases and which can be accessed from the library homepage. Reputable news sites
such as The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/au/health), online dictionaries and online
encyclopedias are acceptable as a starting point to gain knowledge about a topic. Government
departments, research institutes such as the National Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC), international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local not
for profit organisations such as the Cancer Council are also good resources.
Formatting: The assessment MUST be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format. Other
formats may not be readable by markers. Please be aware that any assessments submitted in other
formats will be considered LATE and will lose marks until it is presented in Word.
What we don’t want to see:
Plagiarism: All sources of information need to properly be acknowledged. Please refer to the
plagiarism website on blackboardi
. By clicking the ‘Upload this file’ button you acknowledge that you
have read, understood and can confirm that the work you are about to submit complies with the
Flexible and Online plagiarism policy as shown in the JNI Student Handbook. Like other forms of
cheating plagiarism is treated seriously. Plagiarising students will be referred to the Program
Manager.
Word Count: Marks will be deducted for failure to adhere to the word count – as a general rule you
may go over or under by 10% than the stated length.
Late Submissions: Students are advised that any submissions past the due date incur a 10%
penalty per day, calculated from the total mark e.g. a task marked out of 30 will incur 3 marks
penalty per day.
No submission: Students must attempt all tasks to be eligible to pass the unit.
More information can be found in Think Education Assessment Policy document on the Think
Education website.
BASS – WEL301A, AB 2 Page 4
Resources Available to YOU:
1. Academic writing guide link
https://laureateau.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_20163_
1&content_id=_2498847_1&mode=reset
2. Writing & referencing: The link to the Learning and Academic Skills Unit
(LASU) is on the left pulldown menu on the blackboard home page:
https://laureateau.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_20163_
1&content_id=_2498847_1&mode=reset
LASU also provides a series of academic skills tutorials. Please contact Caroline
Spaans (cspaans@laureate.net.au, 02 949 232 14).
3. Researching: A guide to researching is available on the library page
http://library.think.edu.au/research_skills/.
Please contact the online and Pyrmont librarian for Health, Dawn Vaux
(dvaux@laureate.net.au) if you would like further help or a tutorial on how to do
research this way.
i
https://laureate‐
au.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_20163_1&content_id=_2498858_1&mode=reset

Assessment 2: Power Point Presentation and Report – Analyzing Australian Social Problems through the Lens of Community Development

Introduction:
Community development is a vital field that amalgamates theory and practice to address pressing social issues. This assessment aims to identify a specific social problem in Australia and apply relevant theories and principles of community development to propose evidence-based solutions for change. The chosen social issue, known as an “Australian social problem,” could encompass homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, unemployment, an aging population, among others. Additionally, we will explore how certain segments of the population are disproportionately affected and the potential pathways for change.

I. Identifying the Australian Social Problem
To begin the assessment, the selected Australian social problem shall be clearly defined, and its significance in the context of community development work will be highlighted. This section will draw upon scholarly sources to establish a comprehensive understanding of the issue’s root causes and its impact on individuals and society.

II. Theories and Principles of Community Development
In this section, we will delve into the theoretical framework that underpins community development. We will explore various theories, such as the Social Capital Theory, the Community Capacity Building Model, and the Asset-Based Community Development approach, to name a few. The application of these theories to the chosen Australian social problem will be critically analyzed, emphasizing how they align with community development principles.

III. Disproportionate Impact on Specific Population Segments
Certain subgroups within the Australian society may be disproportionately affected by the identified social problem. This section will investigate the demographics and characteristics of these vulnerable segments, drawing on recent data from reputable sources. Understanding these disparities is crucial for developing targeted and effective solutions through community development strategies.

IV. Evidence-Based Solutions for Change
Proposing evidence-based solutions is central to effective community development. This section will explore successful case studies and interventions that have addressed similar social problems in Australia. Emphasis will be placed on interventions that have shown positive outcomes and have potential for scalability and sustainability. Furthermore, the role of collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the community in implementing these solutions will be highlighted.

Conclusion:
The conclusion will summarize the key findings and proposed solutions. The importance of community development in addressing Australian social problems will be reiterated, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and equitable solutions for vulnerable population segments. Finally, this assessment will underscore the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous evaluation of interventions in achieving lasting social change.

References:

Smith, J. A. (2019). Understanding Social Problems: A Comprehensive Overview. Cambridge University Press.

Campbell, M. L., & Villarreal, M. (2016). Asset-Based Community Development in Practice: A Case Study of Rural Community Development in Australia. Journal of Rural Studies, 45, 192-203.

Graycar, A., & Jamrozik, A. (Eds.). (2017). Crime and Justice in Australia. LexisNexis Butterworths.

Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2022). Domestic Violence in Australia: A Quick Write My Essay Today: No1 Essay Writing Service AU for Your Academic Papers – Guide to Key Internet Links. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/domestic-violence-australia-quick-guide-key-internet-links