Community Education at An Cosán seeks to build skills and confidence to promote personal and professional development. Our courses are designed to support you at whichever stage of your learner journey you are at!
Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, many of these courses will be available through our blended (combination of online and face-to-face) learning platform.
Computers and Technology Courses
Health and Wellbeing
First Steps Back To Education
Please note that these course are funded, but we do ask for a small contribution to assist with hospitality and photocopying.
Next Start Date:
September
An Cosán’s Foundation Level programmes provide a supportive, fun, and collaborative virtual learning environment in which we encourage learners to participate actively in their own development. Though they are not officially accredited, learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from An Cosán on completion.
Each module consists of:
Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, all modules are being delivered fully online
This programme introduces learners to the core concepts of community development and social action. We will use animation, video, and music to examine key themes such as power and democracy in society, the role of the state, the ethics of community development, and digital citizenship. We draw on case studies and learners’ own experiences to discuss key issues facing their communities, including youth visibility, identity politics, and community empowerment. Learners will identify practical approaches and strategies to support their community’s development.
Cost of Module: €200
Next Start Date:
Depending on demand, please enquire for more information
This programme explores the causes, course, and consequences of drug addiction and how they relate to the individual, the family, the community, and society. Addiction issues related to diverse populations are presented, and the connections between local and global contexts in relation to drug use will also be explored. Learners will identify practical approaches and strategies to support community drugs work. We will examine case studies and contemporary response alternatives regarding intervention, treatment, education, and prevention.
Cost of Module: €200
Next Start Date:
Depending on demand, please enquire for more information
This programme will explore the role of leadership in the community. Learners will investigate a model of grassroots community leadership in practice, nationally and globally. Learners will also examine the concept of leadership and analyse different leadership styles and qualities. Learners will identify their own leadership skills as well as identify strategies and practices fitting to community leadership development. Learners will also explore the contribution of technology to community leadership. We will draw on case studies and learners’ own experiences to discuss key issues facing their communities, including inequality, discrimination, and community empowerment. We will use animation, video, and music to examine key themes such as power and democracy in our community, the role of the state, and digital citizenship.
Cost of Module: €200
Next Start Date:
Depending on demand, please enquire for more information
This programme introduces learners to critical questions about the meanings of gender in society. We introduce foundational ideas, including how gender is socially constructed, how gender structures our ways of being and thinking, and how the personal is political. Participants will apply these insights to a variety of contemporary social, political and economic problems. Key themes for collective inquiry and discussion include the difference between sex and gender, identity, gender inequality, cultural assumptions, media representations, and feminism in the 21st century. An Introduction to Gender Studies will enrich learners’ self-understanding, enhance their understanding of the world, and facilitate their advancing gender equality.
Cost of Module: €200
Next Start Date:
Depending on demand, please enquire for more information
This programme introduces learners to climate justice, one of the defining issues of our times. Participants will learn the foundations of environmentalism and apply these insights to a variety of contemporary political and ecological problems. Key themes for discussion include understanding nature and climate change, the role of capitalism, technology and agriculture, and the emergence of sustainable alternatives. We will examine national and international case studies of community-led movements and projects for climate justice. An Introduction to Climate Justice will enrich learners’ understanding of the world while developing visionary ideas to change it.
Cost of Module: €200
Next Start Date:
Depending on demand, please enquire for more information
Where does democracy come from? What does it mean to be a citizen? How can we change society and who is going to do it? The Citizenship and Social Action programme will explore the ideas and practices associated with democracy, citizenship, and social action. Students will examine Irish and European Union policies regarding citizenship and participation. Learners will further analyse digital citizenship in the age of the internet and social media, as well as strategies and practical approaches to support community empowerment.
Cost of Module: €200
Next Start Date:
Depending on demand, please enquire for more information
An Cosán’s Accredited Further Education Programmes are usually delivered through a Classroom based (Face to Face) model, but due to current Covid-19 restrictions, many modules are being delivered online, please contact us at info@ancosan.ie for further details.
For information regarding costs and course timetable please contact Phil at phil@ancosan.ie or Lily at lily@ancosan.ie. There are various subsidies and supports for course costs depending on circumstances.
The overall aim of this programme is to equip the learner with the skills set to commence or develop a career in Community care. The emphasis of the compulsory programmes is on knowledge of human health and development, care provision and practice and on health and safety at work, these and the elective subjects offered by An Cosán will offer the learner a skill set which is adaptable to a variety of work arenas, health care, childcare, community support and community development.
There are 11 programme modules in this programme. Upon successful completion of a minimum of 8 programme modules (each with a 15-credit value) the learner may achieve the required 120 credits for a level 6 Major Award.
The Modules on offer are:
| Mandatory | Optional |
|
|
QQI Level 5
3hrs twice per week over 9-10 weeks
Next Start Date:
September
The overall aim of this programme is to equip the learner with the skills set to commence or develop a career in Community Development. The emphasis of the compulsory programmes is on knowledge of Community Development and its Practices, and working in groups and the skills required, these and the elective subjects offered by An Cosán will offer the learner a skill set which is adaptable to a variety of work arenas, health care, Community Services, Addiction Services and community development.
There are 8 programme modules in this programme. Upon successful completion of a minimum of 8 programme modules (each with a 15-credit value) the learner may achieve the required 120 credits for a level 6 Major Award.
The Modules on offer are:
| Mandatory | Optional |
|
|
QQI Level 5
3hrs twice per week over 9-10 weeks
Next Start Date:
September
| The overall aim of this programme is to equip the learners and future practitioners in community and/or business organisations with the knowledge, skills and competence in business administration and digital skills to gain employment or develop professionally in an administrative capacity. The emphasis of the compulsory programmes is on knowledge of Business Administration, Word processing and Book-keeping and the skills required, these and the elective subjects offered by An Cosán will offer the learner a skill set which is adaptable to a variety of work arenas, administration, businesses and digital areas.
There are 9 programme modules in this programme. Upon successful completion of a minimum of 8 programme modules (each with a 15-credit value) the learner may achieve the required 120 credits for a level 6 Major Award. The Modules on offer are:
|
QQI Level 5
3hrs twice per week over 9-10 weeks
Next Start Date:
September
The overall aim of this programme is to equip the learner with the skills set to commence or develop a career in the Early Years Sector. While the emphasis of the compulsory programmes are on the Development of the Child, Childhood Care & Education the practices required and the benefit of play on not only the well-being of the child but also its development.
The skills set which will be imparted to and demonstrated by the learner who completes this Major Award, are an excellent set of skills and directly relevant for any position which requires skills both in the Care and Education of a Child. These skills include Creative Arts for Children with Special Needs, Special Needs Assisting, working with Children who have additional needs, as well as a diversity of other skills.
There are 10 programme modules in this programme. Upon successful completion of a minimum of 8 programme modules (each with a 15-credit value) the learner may achieve the required 120 credits for a level 6 Major Award.
The Modules on offer are:
| Mandatory | Elective |
|
|
QQI Level 5
3hrs twice per week over 9-10 weeks
Next Start Date:
September
The overall aim of this programme is to equip the learner with the skills set to commence or develop a career in Early Years Supervision and or Management. While the emphasis of the compulsory programmes are on the Early Care & education of children, the skills set which will be imparted to and demonstrated by the learner who completes this Major Award, are an excellent set of skills and directly relevant for any position which requires supervision and Management skills in the ECCE sector. These skills include early learning environments, Supervision in Education and Care, Disability Awareness, Special Needs Assisting as well as a diversity of other skills.
The programme as presented by An Cosán is designed to provide a follow on complimentary award to the Level 5 Major Award Early Childhood Care & Education, provided by An Cosán. While completion of this Level 5 award is not essential, many of the skills imparted in the Level 6 Early Childhood Care & Education Award are designed to build on those already developed and ignited in the Level 5 award.
There are 9 programme modules in this programme. Upon successful completion of a minimum of 8 programme modules (each with a 15-credit value) the learner may achieve the required 120 credits for a level 6 Major Award. The Modules on offer are:
| Mandatory | Optional |
|
|
QQI Level 5
3hrs twice per week over 9-10 weeks
Next Start Date:
September