Knowledge and understanding
You will be exposed to a variety of teaching methods intended to impart as effectively as possible key knowledge about various aspects of volunteering. Lectures and seminars by academics with track records in the voluntary sector will be used to foster your understanding of:
- the nature of the NGO sector and its unique characteristics and challenges;
- the factors that drive people to volunteer and how these may best be recruited and supported;
- best practice in the raising and managing of NGO funds;
- the nature and process of strategic planning in NGOs;
- best practice in governing and managing NGOs and the roles and responsibilities this entails;
- approaches to advocating for policy change and developing social marketing plans;
- the processes and skills required to design and manage a small project in NGOs; and
- the practice of evaluating NGO activities.
You will demonstrate your understanding through guided class discussions, presentations, assignments, case studies, reflective journalling and group project work.
Intellectual development
Lecturers will seek to foster critical thought through interactive class debate, and will assign readings and exercises to deepen student insight into the subjects under study. In addition, the programme also provides experiential learning in intra- and interpersonal skills; basic helping skills; and reflective practice.
Key/transferable skills
By successfully complete this programme, you will have developed - through class debate, analytical assignments, groupwork and reflective journaling - important life skills that can be transferred to any setting. These include:
- personal, interpersonal and group skills;
- critical thinking and analytical skills;
- motivational skills;
- thinking strategically;
- planning systematically;
- helping others in appropriate ways;
- understanding roles and relating across hierarchical lines in an NGO;
- the capacity to advocate for change;
- the ability to design and manage a small project;
- the ability to evaluate the outcomes of a volunteering practice; and
- to reflect upon one's practice in a regular and systematic manner.
Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
The skills already referred to that are most relevant to contributing to your employability include strategic development and planning; leadership and management; project management; and evaluation. Personal development is a fundamental aim of this course, and the relevant units are intended to deepen personal insight, foster mature interpersonal relationships, collaborative teamwork skills, and skills of reflexivity and mindfulness which are all likely to have a beneficial spillover in your personal and professional lives.
