Short Courses

The aim of this course is to give participants an understanding of the different forms and structures that intentional communities might take.  There will be an opportunity to explore the different philosophies that can underpin different intentional communities and to consider the impact that levels of communality has upon intentional communities.  Participants will have an opportunity to consider possible models of development and how this might impact on the formation and development of a community. 

Indicative content:

•    The history of intentional communities from the 1960’s onwards
•    Definitions and characteristics of intentional communities
•    Levels and types of communities
•    Visioning – an opportunity for participants to describe their ideas of community
            •    Philosophies
            •    Environmental –  eco-villages e.g. Llamas
            •    Social justice – radical co-operatives  e.g.  Cornerstone Leeds
•    Re-capturing community – rural alternatives e.g. Relay / Dol-lys
•    Spiritual e.g. Findhorn
•    Models of development
•    How to join an existing community
•    Examples of the process of founding a new community.

The aim of this course is to give participants an understand the possible legal structures that communities have available to them.  Participants will have an opportunity to systematically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different structures and to be able to identify the appropriate legal structures for different types of communities.  The course will explore some of the most frequently used financial models for communities and enable participants to identify appropriate financial models for different types of communities. 

Indicative content:

•    Why a legal structure is needed
•    The main legal  models used to develop various forms of intentional communities
            •    Co-ownership
            •    Fully mutual v mutual home ownership
            •    Co-operatives
            •    Land trusts
•    Tools for comparing and evaluating the legal models
•    Responsibilities inherent in different legal structures
•    Raising the money to buy land or property
•    Main sources
•    How much and who from
•    Rent v ownership and models in-between

The aim of this course is to enable participants to gain an  understanding of group dynamics and how they can affect the health of a community.  Participants will be encouraged to understand some of the key approaches to conflict resolution and to explore different models of decision making.  The course will enable participants to consider ways of ensuring the ‘health’ and sustainability of a community.

Indicative content:

• Why communities succeed or fail. Case studies such as LEAF, Old Hall

• Role theory and systems theory – can they help?

• Managing expectations

• Ways of pre-empting and minimising conflict

• Power, roles and coalitions

• Consensus, majority and other forms of decision making