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. By seeing the Australian Jewish community in the context of other ethnic communities in Australia and other Jewish communities around the world students will deepen their understanding of the Australian Jewish community. The course will expose students to a broad range of issues beyond the direct ambit of their own communal involvement. Students undertake a communal 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:

• have 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
• have developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Jewish culture
• have developed the ethos of professionalism in Jewish communal service and leadership.

Students undertake a compulsory placement. involving 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 12-point core units, one of which involves an off-campus placement, and two 12-point elective units.

Students complete:

• JWM4050 Rethinking Jewish community in Australia: Policy and praxis
• SHM4010 School of Historical Studies placement
• two 12-point level four elective units offered by the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and/or Faculty of Business and Economics or Faculty of Art and Design.

Students who complete the graduate diploma with a minimum credit average, may apply to enter course 4031 Master in communal service and leadership - Jewish community.

After successful completion of 24 points, students may apply to exit the program with course 4029 Graduate Certificate in Jewish Communal Service and Leadership.

Graduate Diploma in Communal Service and Leadership - Jewish Community