SO6071 Sociology of Community and Community Development Mid-Term Presentation and 1,000-Word Report 2026 (UL)

The SO6071 mid-term asks postgraduate students to present a community development theme from the module, such as top-down versus bottom-up development, participation, power or asset-based approaches, in a tightly limited five-slide presentation, and to write a formal 1,000-word report that argues a clear position using academic literature.

Assignment Details

You are required to give a 20-minute group presentation on a community development theme of your choice, drawn from the issues touched on in the module this semester. The objective is to assess your ability to work as a team to research, write critically and present on a community development theme, gathering, organising and critically engaging with an existing body of research literature.

• Use a maximum of 5 slides, so that you condense and synthesise the material. Slides should use visual imagery and be as interactive as possible, not loaded with text.
• In addition to the presentation, submit a 1,000-word written report presenting the main arguments you wish to advance about your chosen topic. It must be written formally (no bullet points) and include a full bibliography (not included in the word count).
• Presentations take place in class in Week 9; the written paper is due on 6 November 2026 at 3pm.

Grading Criteria

• Presentation, style and structure
• Understanding of key conceptual issues and of the key issues of concern to the question
• Ability to apply understanding of concepts to substantive areas
• Evidence of engagement with relevant literature and sources
• Ability to illustrate critical analysis of material
• Clarity of written communication and accurate bibliographic and in-text referencing

Papers should be argumentative rather than descriptive, present a clear position supported by empirical and theoretical literature, and consider contradictory evidence. Academic books, chapters and journals are prioritised; internet sources may only supplement them and must be credible.

Presentation and Submission Rules

• Word count 1,000 words; anything over the limit will not be corrected.
• 1.5 or double line spacing, justified text, Times New Roman size 12; headings are recommended.
• Do not use AI in either the presentation or the written report.
• Submit electronically via the module site (one submission per group) with the signed Department of Sociology plagiarism declaration cover page; late submissions lose 5 percentage points for the first day and receive zero after 24 hours.