Module Directory

Through the five step training of Citizens UK (1. Organise, 2. Listen, 3. Plan, 4. Act, 5. Negotiate), students will learn the basics of community building and organising, which they will be able to practice and experience for themselves. Students will learn to build power and negotiate with local government on issues of local concern such as hate crime, transport, mental health and housing.

This module intends to bring together both theory and practice and serves as a way for students approaching the end of their studies to ‘apply’ their knowledge and skills outside the classroom. The module speaks directly to the University’s commitment to transformational education, community engagement, employability, and citizenship, placing student experiences from across a wide range of disciplines and departments at the centre of the module. Students often explore concepts and theories linked to democracy, human rights, social justice, power, organizations, negotiations, human relations, accountability, corporate social responsibility etc. However, there are relatively few opportunities available to students to ‘test’ these ideas in practice. This module aims to tackle precisely that.

Through training and practical experience, students will build their confidence, and enhance skills associated with project management, team work, communication and creativity, which will help open doors for their future careers.

The aims of this module are:

• To offer students an innovative and interdisciplinary way of engaging with a final year project.


• To strengthen the connection between the University of Essex, Citizens UK Colchester and other local organisations by having the students focus on building better communities through the co-production of knowledge and best practice.


• To learn how to identify relevant stakeholders and decision-makers and negotiate with local government and organizations on issues of local concern such as hate crime, transport, street lighting, living wage, mental health and housing, or something else discovered through ‘listening’ exercises.


• To work with their peers, academic staff and professional staff from Citizens UK to build alliances and create common cause on important issues.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Apply “academic” knowledge in practical scenarios.


2. Accurately identify community issues.


3. Engage in community organising and to communicate effectively.


4. Engage in community building.


5. Work in a team based on a shared interest and concern.


6. Take active steps toward collective action.


7. Manage a project.


8. Develop an independent research report.


9. Analyse and reflect critically on theories and/or conceptual/analytical frameworks in addressing real-life social issues.

There is an application process for this module - please request this module in eNROL in the usual way and note the following:

Students should contact democracyinaction@essex.ac.uk for additional information about the application process.

• The deadline for applications is 22 September 2025.


• Successful applicants will be notified before the start of the autumn term.


• There are limited places and once the places are full unsuccessful applicants will be contacted before the start of the autumn term to choose other modules on eNROL to ensure they have the credits required for the academic year.

This module will allow third year students to do their final year project in an innovative and interdisciplinary way. The module seeks to give students the possibility to better understand their community, the issues it confronts and how to address them.

This module will be delivered via:

2 hour lectures weekly in Autumn and Spring Term.

Presentations in Summer Term.