Module Code - Title:
PS6072
-
COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to provide an overview to approaches within the field of community psychology and its potential for improving individual and social well-being. Besides the overview, students will gain experiences in working within the community psychology framework. Students will recognise the chances and limits that community psychology offers to bring about social change.
Syllabus:
In this module, students will learn about psychological processes that are concerned with the relationships of individuals with communities and societies. Based on the core values of community psychology (individual and family wellness, sense of community, respect for human diversity, social justice, citizen participation, collaboration and community strengths, and empirical grounding; see Dalton, Elias, & Wandersman, 2007) a particular emphasis will be given to actions that enhance quality of life for individuals, communities, and societies. In this sense, students will have the opportunity to reflect on the core values of this field, its goals, and the methods that are normally used in community psychology research. In addition, student will be actively involved in community psychology oprojects.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Identify the principles of community psychology.
Recognise the usefulness of community psychology in promoting social change and individual well-being.
Organise an intervention programme based on community psychology principles.
Apply community psychology solutions to problems in society.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be / should be able to:
Value the usefulness of community psychology approaches to real life problems in society.
Confident in suggesting and promoting applications of community psychology approaches and in conducting community psychology research.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
In lectures we will present theoretical overviews to community psychology approaches and the situations where community psychology was success in bringing about social change. In lab sessions students will discuss the usefulness of community psychology approaches with regard to specific (Irish) communities. Students will also be actively involved in community psychology research. And in a written assignment students will be asked to discuss community psychology approaches and their usefulness regarding a given societal situation. Students will read books and selected journal articles.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Dalton, J. H., Elias, M. J., & Wandersman, A. (2007)
Community psychology: Linking individuals and communities.
, Stamford CT: Wadsworth.
Other Relevant Texts:
()
A selection of recent journal articles from the Journal of Community Psychology and the American Journal of Community Psychology will be discussed.
,
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
aoife.whiston@ul.ie