It is designed for those employed by local, national or international agencies, commercial bodies and NGOs who adopt a community development approach to working with communities in different settings and countries – including community workers, planners, healthcare professionals, social workers, teachers, architects, engineers and project managers.
The MAICD offers creative responses to difference and diversity; critical examination of policy and professional practice; and participatory approaches to working with local people who seek to improve their lives, their neighbourhood and their environment.
The course promotes the perspective that local initiatives need to be placed within a global context and provides an interprofessional learning environment to develop knowledge and skills that can be applied in different countries with a variety of communities.
Core Modules
• International Community Development
Principles and practice for active community involvement
• Integrative Project Methodologies
Participatory and interprofessional approaches to project management
• Cross Cultural issues
Inter-cultural perspective on practice exploring difference and diversity
• Social and Spatial Development
Links between social processes and spatial change and their impact
• Community-Based Research
Analysing community issues through participatory approaches
• Dissertation
Community-based research related to your professional practice
Options, choose two from:
Westminster:
• Community Work Principles and Practice
• Critical Faith Perspectives
• Domestic Violence: Power and Control
• Managing Change
• Managing Regeneration Policy
• Power and Empowerment
• Public Space and the Public Realm
• Sustainable Development and Regeneration
• Urban Regeneration Policy
Lucerne:
• Community Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
• European Cities - Urban and Social Development
• e-Inclusion and Public Collaboration
Teaching and Assessment
The MAICD is jointly delivered by both universities, within an international context. The core modules are taught both at Westminster and in Lucerne. Students who enrol with the University of Westminster (UoW) will meet students enrolling with LUASA during the Summer School which will take place in another European country in early September. This residential event will be the setting for the first module, International Community Development, providing an exciting opportunity to learn about a local community and get to know fellow students.
During your studies, Westminster students take at least one module (core or option) in Lucerne (support to find accommodation for study in Lucerne will be provided).
You will be respected as a member of a learning community and encouraged to share your knowledge and experience. You will engage with theory, concepts and new ideas through a variety of teaching styles to stimulate learning across the modules: these include lectures, reading seminars and workshops, all complemented by participatory activities to introduce you to issues in community settings and encourage networking across professions and countries.
You will benefit from access to a diverse team of experienced practitioners from a range of disciplines, all of whom are engaged in projects outside the University. Additional experts from a variety of areas of practice and research will also contribute their experience of development projects.
All assessment will be through coursework. There are no exams. Both universities have agreed joint assessment and quality assurance arrangements to ensure that all students studying for the MA ICD receive the same support, learning opportunities and qualification. Upon successful completion of the course students will be conferred with the award of Masters of Arts in International Community Development by the University of Westminster.