Course Information
Instructor Information
Course Objectives
This course explores the contribution of psychology to social and community change. Community psychology focuses on understanding people within their social environments and applying this understanding to improve their well-being. It encompasses both the academic study of psychology (including research) and a branch of the helping professions. It serves as a bridge between the individual psyche and the broader social context, connecting the private and the public spheres.
Traditionally, applied psychology has centered on individual behavior, particularly among those experiencing significant psychological distress. Community Psychology broadens psychology’s scope to include the understanding of groups, organizations, and communities, with the aim of preventing distress and fostering competencies. This course provides a survey of the historical and conceptual foundations of the field, covering topics such as prevention, under-served populations, cultural diversity, political action, the effects of stress on mental health, community organization, empowerment, and mutual help.
Course Format
Class meetings will primarily consist of lectures, supplemented by discussions and films. Lectures may not always directly follow the textbook material. Regular attendance is essential for successful course completion, and students are responsible for all missed work due to absences. Students are expected to read all assigned materials carefully and thoroughly.
Questions can be addressed during office hours or via voicemail (including name, daytime and evening phone numbers, and the subject of the inquiry). Alternatively, email messages will receive prompt responses. While lectures will be the primary mode of instruction, students are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification on any points as needed. The course website (see PSY 460) provides access to course grades, lecture outlines, the syllabus, links to relevant websites, and other course-related information.
Required Texts
Evaluation
Exams will cover material from both lectures and the textbook. The final grade will be based on the total points earned out of a possible 350, distributed as follows:
Each presentation should be no longer than 15 minutes. Sharing your work with classmates is considered a valuable part of the learning experience. Make-up exams will not be offered unless arrangements are made at least 24 hours before the scheduled exam time.
Required Class Project
In addition to the exams, all students are required to write a paper of at least 12 pages but no more than 15 pages. The paper should adhere to APA style guidelines (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 10-point proportional font). Part 1 of the paper should describe the nature and extent of a specific problem or issue impacting a community (e.g., teenage pregnancy, unemployment, mental health services, youth gangs). Based on available research literature, the paper should identify the causes, extent, and consequences (social, behavioral, economic, etc.) of the problem. Part 2 of the paper should focus on a particular community’s attempt to solve the problem (e.g., Flagstaff, your hometown). The local community intervention(s) should be examined from a community psychology perspective.
By the middle of the semester, students will submit a one-page proposal outlining their topic, defining the scope of their investigation, detailing completed research, and explaining their plan for completing the investigation. Students may submit this project as a website; further details will be provided in class.
Final Grade
The final grade will be determined as follows:
Important Notes