Foundation Course in Social and Health Education - Part Two

Part Two of the Foundation Course in Social and Health Education provides an opportunity for participants to develop a greater awareness of the collective dimension of human development.  They are helped to explore the challenge of reconciling personal needs with the needs of other people, be they in the family, the workplace, the local community or the wider world.  They examine the different ways in which power operates in society and explore the extent to which people’s perception of their needs and interests is shaped by social forces. They consider the meaning and the significance of the concept of social justice at all levels, from the local to the global.  They are orientated to the principles of active citizenship and participatory democracy, as well as to the institutional mechanisms for citizen participation in contemporary Ireland.  They are helped to understand the challenge of achieving democratic consensus in a context of legitimate values diversity.  

The aim of the Foundation Part Two course is to enhance participants’ personal effectiveness in collective settings, especially their ability to engage with other people to limit the effect of oppressive social forces and to move towards relationships marked by social justice.  Through the course, they develop the capacity and confidence to discern and act in ways that represent a balanced response to both individual and group needs (‘intra-interpersonal discernment’).  They also develop the awareness and skills required for effective participation as active citizens in inclusive processes of democratic deliberation.   

Normally, completion of the Foundation Part One course (or its equivalent) will be considered an entry requirement for the Foundation Part Two course.  The principal training methodology used is again that of experiential group-work.  Some elements of the Foundation Part Two course are drawn from the ‘Training for Transformation’ programme (Hope, Timmel and Hodzi; 1992).

Participants are not required to undertake any written work and there are no formal assessments or examinations.  However, for their own benefit, they are encouraged to record their learning during the course in a personal learning journal.[1]  Those who complete this course become eligible to apply for a place on the Generic Facilitation Skills Course - (the first course in the Facilitation Training Programme).

The course runs from September to December and consists of an evening introductory session and five weekend (2 x 7.5-hour day) workshops.  Normally there will be around 25 participants in each group. 

[1] Special arrangements will be sensitively put in place for participants who experience literacy difficulties.