Task 2

Individual written
essay 30%

Assessment
Details:

Due Date: Week
8

Format: Written
Essay (word document)

Word Count: 1200-1500 words (excluding references)

Materials: All necessary resources will be provided by your lecturer or tutor.

Assessment Overview:

This assessment allows you to demonstrate your understanding of capacity building within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and why community development is an appropriate and effective approach when working with them.

It also allows you to demonstrate your ability to analyse community development programs and their impacts in the areas of culture, education and employment amongst disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

Assessment Instructions:

You are required to write an individual academic essay that addresses the following components below. The essay should demonstrate critical engagement with community development theory, culturally responsive practice, and real-world application.

Essay Questions:

For this assessment, you are required to discuss:

1. Research one (1) Community Development project which focused on capacity building in culture, education, or employment within an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander community. Provide a brief overview of the project, including its aims, target community, and key activities.

2. In the context of Community Development, explain what capacity building means. Define how capacity building is demonstrated within your chosen project, supported by relevant community development theory and literature.

3. Explain why capacity building is important when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In your response, consider concepts such as empowerment, self-determination, sustainability, and culturally safe practice.

4. Briefly outline the current experiences and ongoing impacts of colonization on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Discuss how your chosen project responds to or addresses these impacts through its capacity-building approach.

• You must use a minimum of five (5) academic and credible sources. Atleast one source must relate directly to the chosen community development project.

• You are encouraged to use prescribed unit readings and additional scholarly sources.

• Follow APA 7 referencing style.

Criterion Measures Intended Learning

Outcome:

1 Analysis of literature on capacity building and issues LO1, LO2, LO3 impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

2 Depth and quality of research drawing on relevant academic LO1, LO2, and community sources.

3 Selection and discussion of an appropriate community LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 development project demonstrating capacity building in practice.

4 Clear structure, academic writing, and correct use of APA LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 7^th edition referencing

5 Use of Generative AI LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4,

Generative AI tools are not permitted for this assessment. If LO5, LO6 AI-generated content is detected, marks will be deducted in line with academic integrity policies. Significant AI use may result in a failure grade or zero for the assessment.

CAS101 Unit Outline – Community Development

Rubric – Assessment 2

Task: Individual Written Essay 30%

CRITERION

WEIGHT

80-100%

70-79%

60-69%

50-59%

0-50%

Capacity-building
knowledge and analysis (theoretical

understanding)

25%

Demonstrates an advanced and critical understanding of capacity
building grounded in community development theory. Clearly links theory to
the chosen project with strong analytical insight.

Demonstrates a clear and accurate understanding of
capacity building supported by relevant theory. Links theory to practice with
sound explanation but limited critical depth.

Demonstrates
a basic understanding of capacity building with some reference to theory.

Explanation is largely descriptive with limited analytical connection
to the project.

Demonstrates
a limited understanding of capacity building with vague or incomplete

explanations.

Minimal use of theory or weak links to the project.

Fails to
demonstrate understanding of

capacity building. Content is inaccurate,
irrelevant, or missing.

Relevance to

Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander

Communities

20%

Demonstrates a culturally informed and nuanced understanding of
capacity building in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts. Clearly
integrates concepts of selfdetermination, cultural safety, and community
control.

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance
of capacity building for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Discusses key cultural concepts with minor gaps in depth.

Demonstrates
a general

understanding of Indigenous relevance with limited cultural depth.
Discussion is appropriate but largely descriptive.

Demonstrates limited awareness of
Indigenous-specific considerations. Discussion is superficial or generalized.

Fails to
address or inaccurately represents

Indigenous contexts and considerations.

Understanding of

Colonisation Impacts

20%

Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the historical and ongoing
impacts of colonisation. Critically links these impacts to the need for
capacity-building approaches.

Demonstrates
clear understanding of colonisation impacts with relevant explanation. Links
to

community development are evident but not deeply
analysed.

Demonstrates
a basic understanding of colonisation impacts. Discussion is descriptive with

limited linkage to
community development practice.

Demonstrates limited

or unclear understanding of colonisation impacts.
Connections to practice are weak or missing.

Fails to
demonstrate understanding of colonisation or provides inaccurate information.

Project Example and Applied Analysis

25%

Selects a highly relevant project and provides
insightful critical analysis of capacity building in practice. Clearly
evaluates how the project addresses community needs and impacts of
colonisation..

Selects a
relevant project and provides

clear analysis of

capacity-building elements. Evaluation is sound but limited in critical
depth.

Selects an appropriate project with mostly
descriptive explanation. Analysis of effectiveness is limited.

Selects a project with limited relevance or provides
minimal analysis. Explanation lacks clarity or depth.

Fails to select an appropriate project or
demonstrates misunderstanding of its capacity-building role.

Research, Academic

Writing, and

Referencing

10%

Essay is exceptionally well-structured and written
in clear academic language. APA 7 referencing is accurate and sources are
well integrated.

Essay is
well-structured with clear academic

writing. Minor APA 7
errors are present but do not affect clarity.

Essay is generally clear with some
structural or

expression issues.
APA 7 referencing contains several minor errors.

Essay shows weak

structure and limited academic tone. Referencing is
inconsistent with multiple errors.

Essay lacks clarity, structure, and appropriate
academic referencing.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT or similar) is not permitted for this assessment. If detected, it will be treated as a breach of academic integrity and may result in significant mark deductions or a failure grade.