This module will introduce students to the study of culture from a community development and youth work perspective. The aim of the module is twofold, (i) to provide a theoretical foundation to apply to culture and, (ii) to develop a basic level of intercultural practice competence for the community development and youth worker. The module will examine the many ways in which peoples of the world, past and present, have organized the activities, family and community structures, institutions, values and belief systems that sustain cultural life with special emphasis on contemporary societies. This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of basic concepts and frameworks related to the study of culture by: 1. Increasing personal awareness and understanding of the meaning and concepts of culture as well as an ability to examine one's own cultural heritage, history, ethnic identity, values, and assumptions. 2. Reflecting on the development of cultures in Ireland past and present. 3. Enabling the participants to use an intercultural /diversity lens with people from diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds. 4. Introducing and applying basic practice approaches to working with diverse cultural communities and young people (including minority ethnic groups).
Theme 1: The Meaning and Concepts of Culture
Defining the meaning of culture (from a range of theorists) - The Iceberg of culture (material & non-material culture) Introducing the main concepts of culture - Individualist and collectivist cultures - Ethnocentrism and Ethnorelativism, Family, Kinship and Community- Leadership and Culture, Verbal & non-verbal communication, language, thought and culture – Identity, ethnicity and culture - Space and time across Cultures - Cultural norms, beliefs and values Culture and Religion - Assimilation vs Integration – Culture shock.
Theme 2: Cultures in Ireland
- Cultural origins of Ireland - Historical eras and their influence on Ireland’s cultural development - The impact of the great hunger on Irish cultural memory and similar displacement migration and refugee crises today.- Monoculturalism to Interculturalism.
Theme 3: Cultural Diversity for Community Development and Youth Work
- Intercultural education - Intercultural conflict - Stereotyping – Racism, Discrimination and prejudice- The role of the state in respecting, protecting and integrating diverse cultures including minority ethnic groups (Travellers, Roma, minority ethnic groups.- The role of community workers and youth workers in promoting cultural awareness, anti-racism and integration in practice.
Theme 4 Culture and Fieldwork Research
- Ethnography for beginners - ‘Researcher’ and the ‘researched’ relationship - Practice based Case studies of intercultural work with majority / minority culturally diverse communities, work with culturally diverse and minority ethnic young people.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |
| Formal Examination | 60 |