This assessment will evaluate your performance against all the course learning objectives:
1. Apply detailed knowledge and critical understanding of relevant literature to the psychology of community sport. (25%)
2. Apply detailed knowledge and critical understanding of relevant theoretical perspectives to the psychology of community sport. (25%)
3. Develop a community science project. (30%)
4. Critically review and develop your assignment in response to formative feedback and reflective learning on the programme, detailing how you creatively explored and solved problems to industry-relevant global matters. (10%)
5. Apply detailed knowledge and critical understanding of relevant APA publication guidelines and present work in a manner appropriate for the assignment. (10%)
You will be tasked with developing a community science project/policy to support the physical and mental health needs of a specific population. In this course, we will engage specifically with two populations. However, you are able to choose any population that fits with your previous experience, your academic and professional interests and your future training, study and career plans. It is expected that you will engage in wide independent reading to better understand the psychological, social and emotional needs of your target population so that you can understand the scope of the challenge and needs that your project/initiative will be designed to address. During the course we will cover theories of behaviour change, consider equality, diversity and inclusion factors and some specific physical activity and sport interventions, along with evaluation and assessment methods. Your task is to tailor this content to your chosen population.
There are sample policy documents from previous work provided in the ‘Assessment’ section on C91CS Canvas to give you a sense of what the final assessment should look like and key content/styling. You should take care to address the key marking criteria that are included in the marking rubric.
You will have an opportunity to informally present and discuss your projects with your peers and academic staff in a ‘formative’ assessment activity. You are encouraged to support your peers, share good practice and learn from their perspectives and feedback during this formative activity and throughout the course.
Case Study Problem-Based Scenarios
Problem-Based Scenario 2: Students within an educational context
Context and population
Higher education students face a multitude of stressors and demands including the pressures of performance in academic work, significant life transitions, financial stressors and other varies social-emotional challenges. The positive impact of sport and physical activity on mental and physical health are well documented in research, however there is a need to revise and improve policy and practice in education settings to make best use of resources and promote positive sport and physical activity engagement and sustainable behaviour change to promote well-being.
Problem-Based Scenario 3: Older adults in the community
Context and population
The physical and mental health benefits of sport, physical activity and movement in older adulthood are widely documented in research. The facilitators and barriers to physical activity engagement can be influenced by familiarity with physical activity/sport tasks, perceived opportunity (e.g., access to appropriate spaces) and self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to safely and effectively engage in sport and physical activity). There is a need for evidence-based and theoretically informed initiatives and interventions to support healthy ageing.
Assessment Task
You are tasked with designing a sport or physical activity initiative to address the mental and physical health needs of your chosen population. The initiative should include suggestions for a theoretical underpinning or framework to support the design and implementation of the initiative. Moreover, suggested policy and funding requirements should be outlined and the outcomes and benefits of community sport or physical activity interventions for this population, within this context should be detailed.
