Module Code - Title:
PS6202
-
COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY: SERVICE DESIGN AND EVALUATION
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 provide students with a broad introduction to the role of community psychology in designing community-driven approaches to service design and evaluation. This module will introduce topics related to designing, implementing, and evaluating community-based services with an emphasis on participatory action research techniques, inclusivity, empowerment, and collaboration.
Syllabus:
The module will provide a valuable introduction to the role of community psychology in the design and evaluation of community-based services. This module will focus on topics including but not limited to needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, service delivery plans, design, and evaluation. The module will also provide experiential learning through participatory action research techniques, such as co-design workshops, community mapping, and collaborative evaluations. This module will emphasise core values of community psychology related to inclusivity and empowerment.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding the role of community psychology in designing and evaluating mental health services within diverse communities
2. Explain how ecological frameworks are used to understand community needs
3. Critically evaluate participatory research process, assessing factors such as power dynamics and quality of stakeholder engagement
4. Develop a service proposal that includes needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, service delivery plan, and an evaluation plan.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Value the importance of participatory approaches in service design and evaluation
2. Demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical responsibility of community psychologists to ensure service designs are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module is delivered in two dimensions: lectures and tutorials. Typically, the first two hours of the lecture will be in a seminar format, introducing students to the theoretical underpinnings and evidence-based research surrounding service design and evaluation in community psychology. This promotes curiosity as students critically engage with foundational concepts and articulate communication through discussion. The final hour of the weekly lecture will be delivered in a tutorial format, providing students with the opportunity to apply these theoretical concepts and skills in practical settings, fostering agility through interactive group work and didactic teaching. In addition to these sessions, learning will be supported through guided and independent reading, encouraging students to take responsibility for their learning. The module's summative assessments will help build resilience, supporting students in achieving the learning outcomes.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Rangarajan (2023)
The Oxford Handbook of Program Design and Implementation Evaluation
, Oxford University Press
Kagan, Burton, Duckett, Lawthom & Siddiquee (2020)
Critical Community Psychology: Critical Action and Social Change
, Routledge
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MSCCPSTFA - CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
grace.mcmahon@ul.ie