Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Australian Jewish community has built an impressive array of community services and institutions including a wide range of schools, museums, old age facilities, social welfare systems and programs for people with disabilities. A significant proportion of the philanthropy of the Jewish community is focused on a wide range of Jewish and Israeli causes. The development and professionalism of people who work for the community is a priority in developing communal structures and keeping them growing with the times. This course provides individuals involved in Jewish communal life in lay and professional capacities with the benefit of a structured academic approach to policy issues in Jewish communal service as well as an analysis of existing communal organisations and structures. Students undertake acommunal organisation placement which will provide an opportunity for them to bring their insights to bear on analysis of a particular question or challenge facing the organisation in which they are working.

Students successfully completing this course will:

• imbue a thorough understanding of a range of theoretical and practical perspectives of the major policy issues facing the Australian Jewish community in a contemporary context
• have an understanding of these policy issues within the broader Australian context
• develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Jewish culture
• develop the ethos of professionalism in Jewish communal service and leadership.

Students undertake a compulsory placement. This placement involves 80 hours of supervised work in communal organisation (in either a volunteer or professional capacity) as well as a research project which focuses on a particular challenge or question relating to that organisation. Supervision will be carried out jointly by Monash University as well as the organisation. This placement also includes four introductory seminars of two hours each to establish the parameters of the placement and project and to set the context.

This course consists of two compulsory 12-point units, one of which involves an off-campus placement.

Students must complete the following two core units:

• JWM4050 Rethinking Jewish community in Australia: Policy and praxis
• SHM4010 School of Historical Studies placement

Students who complete the graduate certificate with a minimum credit average, may apply to transfer to course 4030 Graduate Diploma in Jewish Communal Service and Leadership.

Graduate Certificate in Communal Service and Leadership - Jewish Community