SD3S115 - Civil Society and Community Activism 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SD3S115
Module Title: Civil Society and Community Activism
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Leadership and Public Services
Faculty Sub Group: Leadership and Public Services
Module Leader:
Module Team: Wendy Booth, David Phillips, Paul Lewis
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100505 - sociology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

The module aims to equip students with a grounding in the roles of civil society and community activism in addressing contemporary social issues and problems.  

The key objectives are to:  

  • Examine the historical context of civil society organisations in driving change and shaping social policy  

  • Consider change in terms of the interactions between local actions and global processes.  

  • Recognise different models of community activism, their tools and techniques.  

  • Analyse the core concepts and debates which frame the interactions between civil society, community activism and the state.

Content Summary

This module will focus on the roles played by civil society and community activism in responding to social issues and problems at different historical junctures and in a range of social and political contexts. Whilst it will predominantly focus upon the UK, it will also draw on international examples and will pay close attention to the complex relationships between global processes and local action. A key concern for the module will be how the often-uneasy relationship between civil society and the state are impacted by different political ideologies such as Keynesianism and Neoliberalism, and by the implications of different models of community activism. In doing so, it will explore the historical influence of civil society on contemporary institutions such as the welfare state, through to a contemporary landscape where civil society organisations are simultaneously: acting as partners in the provision of statutory programmes; filling the gaps left by the withdrawal of the state; and are cast as threatening groups whose activities are to be curbed through increasingly punitive legislation.  

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminars 40
Independent Study 88
Directed Study (Including online independent learning) 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Present an understanding of the role of Civil Society and Community Activism in driving social change
LO2 Analyse the complex, changing and fraught relationships which exist between civil society, community activism and the state.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A case study of a community initiative 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A proposal for a community initiative which sets out the need for that initiative, considers how it might be developed and/or implemented. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study 1
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1

Reading List

Barbero, F & Jones, I (2022 )”The Foundational Economy and Citizenship: Comparative Perspectives on Civil Repair” Bristol University Press, Bristol  

Craig, G. Mayo, M. Popple, K. Shaw, M & Taylor,M (2011) “The Community Development Reader:History, Themes and Issues”, Policy Press, Bristol  

Craig, G. Popple, K. Shaw, M. (2008) “Community Development In Theory and Practise: An international Reader”, Spokesman, Nottingham 

Day, G. Dunkerley, D & Thompson, A (2006) “Civil Society in Wales: Policy, Politics, People”, University of Wales Press, 

 Day, G. (2006) “Community and Everyday Life” [Electronic resource] 

Etzioni, Amitai (1993)?The Spirit of Community: Rights, Responsibilities, and The Communitarian Agenda. New York: Crown. 

Jup, E (2023) “Care, Crisis and Activism: The Politics of Everyday Life”, Policy Press, Bristol  

Muddiman, E, Power, S & Taylor, C (2022) “Civil Society and the Family”, Policy Press, Bristol  

Putnam, R (2000) “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community”, Simon and Schuster ltd 

Stike, R & Saunders, C (2023) Organising for Change: Social Change Makers and Social Change Organisation