English and drama

Leading Social Change: Communication and Activism

Module code: Q3912E
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework

Working with the local community, this module builds on the communication and leadership skills necessary to lead action for social change.

This practical work is facilitated by the charity Citizens UK, who match students with local campaigns or voluntary organisations. Exploring issues that impact various communities, you will find links between your discipline and ways in which ‘community work’ can be undertaken.

In workshops, you will:

• engage critically with current debates about social justice
• analyse historical and contemporary campaigns (looking at forms of direct action and activist writing)
• build practical skills (storytelling, negotiation, and delivering leadership speeches) to make positive social change.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the opportunities, benefits and challenges surrounding community engagement within a specific context.
• Reflect on the appropriate skills needed to support the aims and objectives of specific community and volunteering contexts.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts, such as ‘social justice’, and explore how these concepts are understood in practice.
• Demonstrate how you have applied an understanding of relevant contextual and conceptual ideas in practice.