Social Science Research Methods MSc
Community Engagement and Empowerment URBAN5112
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Social and Political Sciences
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course explores the contested meanings of community engagement and empowerment and provides a practical introduction to theories and methods for involving communities in planning and public policymaking.
Timetable
A combination of lectures (6 hours) and workshops (12 hours) taught across six three-hour long sessions
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Assessment:
The course will be assessed through practical work, which will enable students to apply the principles of public participation to evaluate community empowerment.
In groups, students will design and facilitate a participatory workshop session exploring an aspect of contemporary community engagement practice (20% of total course mark). They will then produce a 2000-word individual report, reflecting on learning for the workshop and critically assessing contemporary community engagement practice (80% of total course mark).
Course Aims
The aim of this course is to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of community participation and engagement as a public policy tool, and an appreciation of the role that participation and engagement can and do play in citizen and community empowerment.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
■ understand and evaluate theories of engagement and empowerment;
■ critically evaluate contemporary debates about community participation and engagement;
■ analyse and reflect upon the nature of power in community decision-making;
■ identify the complex range of stakeholders involved in local decision-making and assess their capacity to make collective decisions;
■ summarise the importance of stakeholder involvement and of identifying, engaging and communicating with a diverse range of communities and groups;
■ identify and justify appropriate methods and guiding principles for community engagement for differing scenarios.
■ consider and reflect upon divergent opinions during a community decision-making processes;
■ develop practical skills in community engagement and participation techniques, including listening, negotiation, conflict resolution and synthesis; and
■ work effectively on individual and group-based tasks.