Module Code - Title:
PS6182
-
COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY - ONLINE
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the field of community psychology, in which psychologists seek to understand the roles of contextual factors at all ecological levels that shape well-being of individuals, groups, and communities. Students will learn how community psychologists design, implement, and evaluate programmes to enhance psychological competence and empowerment, promote well-being and positive social change. Students will also be introduced to programme evaluation concepts and principles which they will be able to apply in many occupational settings.
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 projects.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Identify the principles of community psychology.
Recognize the usefulness of community psychology in promoting social change and individual well-being.
Organize 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 will be able to:
Value the usefulness of community psychology approaches to real life problems in society.
Feel 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:
Online lectures will present theoretical overviews to community psychology approaches and the situations where community psychology was successful in bringing about social change. This will aid in student's development of the Graduate Attributes of Curious and Agile. 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 which will aid in their development of the Graduate Attribute of Courageous. In a written assignment students will be asked to discuss community psychology approaches and their usefulness regarding a given societal situation. The assessment approach will focus on developing the Graduate Attributes of Articulate, Responsible, and Courageous. Students will also read books and selected journal articles to develop their knowledge.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Jason, L. A., Glantsman, O., O'Brien, J. F., & Ramian, K. N. (2019)
Introduction to Community Psychology: Becoming an Agent of Change
, College of Science and Health Full Text Publications https://via.library.depaul.edu/cshtextbooks/1
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MSPSSCTFA - PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
aoife.whiston@ul.ie