Introduction to Community Development
Theory, Practice, and Service-Learning
- Jerry W. Robinson, Jr. - Delta State University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Gary Paul Green - University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
This collection of work by leading community development scholars presents students with a theoretical and practical introduction to the field. The text progresses seamlessly from a theoretical overview to a historical overview to three approaches to community development (ecological, interactional, and structural-functional), then explores the practice of community development along with technical assistance, action research, evaluation research, and the role of local organizations, local leadership, and coalitions. The book concludes with critical issues, such as rural development, inner-city development, youth in community development, health care, public schools, and sustainable development.
Key features include:
- New community development intervention models, using examples from recent events to demonstrate the strengths and challenges of such models
- Community service-learning activities, providing useful examples and case studies of successful service-learning programs in communities
- A hierarchy of learning activities and exercises within each chapter, ensuring that students learn how to apply concepts to real-world issues
- Relevant cases of successful community development interventions, giving students examples of 'best practices'
- Major trends, challenges, and prospects for the future in community development, helping students identify key issues and opportunities
Accompanied by effective teaching and learning ancillaries at www.sagepub.com/robinson:
- Instructor Teaching Site: Password-protected resources contain learning modules, developed by the authors, which include exercises and activities which reinforce chapter content, and demonstrate application of concepts in real-life communities.
- Student Study Site: Open-access study materials include chapter self-quizzes to aid content learning.
Did not teach the course as scheduled.
Good introductory text, covers all key issues
The book is relevant to the course i am teaching. the students will benefit from it. thanks.
Comprehensive theoretical and practical introduction to the field of community development
The material in this book was excellent and helped the students get a good understanding of the theory and practical aspects of Community Development.
This book provides a sound theoretical and practical introduction to community development.
\
Community development approaches, principles and values have always been relevant across all services, but they are particularly helpful to Children's Centre Leaders in developing integrated working and in empowering parents and families in their reach communities. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to develop effective collaborative working and who wants to truly empower people as opposed to 'doing unto' them.
As this is a 3rd year course, we focus specific theory that students need to understand, for example, the principles of community development and the general process of community development. We found that this book is more application of theory and summary of theory. I will recommend that the various libraries order a copy for the student to refer to when they have to apply theory, but it will not be recommended for each student to buy.
American. Although this book contains some interesting ideas and examples, it has been written for the United States, and as such uses terms such as 'federal' and some parts refer to legislation that does not apply in the UK.
This book provides an essential introduction to community development for undergraduates and postgraduate students.
I believe I am going to adopt Asset Building and Community Development
Sample Materials & Chapters
Chapter 1 - Developing Communities
Chapter 16 - Sustainable Communities: Sustainability and Community Development