Community Communication And Community Development

Students studying community development will appreciate the smooth transition from the classroom to the office or community. Classroom communication is similar for those studying the discipline to that of those working in the field. At Portland State University, courses offered through Community Development are often structured around being half lecture based and half student engagement (i.e.: group discussion, video, volunteer activities, etc.). Instructors stress to the students that analytical thought is critical in this field. The goal of lectures is never to spit out and repeat words on tests, it is to comprehend first, and then communicate through stories, thoughts, concerns, and thought-provoking ideas – which will ideally happen through discussion. Community Development instructors enjoy showing video clips/movies to engage students in their learning while using Power Points for lectures. From personal experience, I have found that stories that professors share to be exceptionally beneficial. Listening to real-life experiences makes the comprehending scenarios process of the discipline much more enjoyable. It is very important for students to know how to read and understand graphs and other forms of statistical data. “You have to assume that you have an audience full of people who will all have different learning styles. I think you have to be prepared to have a variety of materials and presentations… Power Points with graphs and facts that get to the point (Chapman).”

In comparison to studying medicine or engineering, Community Development is a relatively small field of study and work. While biology classrooms tend to be large, lecture-based classes, Community Development courses tend to consist of smaller, discussion-b...

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...e they are able to dress moderately casual.

Reading

Four times a year, Oxford publishes an updated copy of the Community Development Journal. Oxford prides itself in being the leading international journal in the field of Community Development. These journals discuss an array of topics, covering significant developments in previous years, and also provide the reader with a framework for debates about particular theories. Professionals in the field appreciate Oxford’s published journals because it brings forth a wide definition of Community Development, highlighting policy-making, planning, and actions that impact the life of communities. Oxford’s Community Development Journal places focus on articles that challenge knowledge, matters of Community Development that relate to responses of social justice, diversity, and sustainability, and debates innovative practices,