A Critical Approach to Community Development

Designed as an introductory course with the intention of providing students with an overview of the process of community development. Students will acquire an understanding of development themes such as sustainability, capacity building, resource partnerships, integrated frameworks and asset planning. Particularity important to the discussion will be the role of Aboriginal organizations/agencies such as the First Nations Development Institute, the Center for American Indian Economic Development and the National Centre for First Nations Development in the community development process. Stressing a culturally grounded path of community development, the course will focus on strength based planning or what is often called "asset based community development".