Community psychology is an internationally recognised sub-discipline of psychology that brings community participation and social change to the forefront of the way that we understand and promote psychological wellbeing. Community psychology injects critical, liberal and human rights perspectives into psychology and is concerned with political processes and value-based enquiry. As such, it is able to reflect on traditional modes of scientific enquiry and what they mean for groups and individuals struggling with issues of marginalisation within diverse communities.
This course is of interest to anyone currently practicing psychology in voluntary and NGO organisations, clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists and other mental health professionals wishing to broaden their areas of expertise, and those interested in developing a career in community mental health and advocacy.
Course structure
Community psychology takes different forms in various parts of the world. Our course introduces students to local and international examples of community psychology in practice. Teaching is developed from current research studies of such diverse areas as homelessness, older adults, disadvantaged young people, LGBT mental health, organisational wellbeing, and mental health literacy in Cambodia. Core teaching staff include Carl Walker, Katherine Johnson and Liz Cunningham who have a range of experience of utilising participatory action research approaches in community psychology settings.
All students undertake an action-orientation project within a community psychology setting. Those working in a relevant profession will be able to relate this to their current practice or employer needs. Students who are not currently in a relevant profession will be able to carry out their project in a range of vibrant community and voluntary organisations including Mind, Age Concern and the Richmond Fellowship. These partnerships are facilitated through the university's outstanding Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp).
Through lectures, workshops, seminars and the facilitation of community research partnerships, this course provides opportunities to explore the appropriateness and significance of how we work as community psychologists and to understand better the role of ideology inherent in the creation of an effective community psychology. It achieves this while retaining a degree of flexibility within the syllabus such that you are able to tailor your learning towards the kinds of areas most relevant to your work and interests.
The course is primarily taught through intensive teaching sessions where modules run over blocks of 2-3 days. Some optional modules require attendance of weekly lectures and seminars.
Syllabus
Core modules include:
Community Psychology: theory and practice
Participation and Democracy
Social research practice (in a community psychology setting)
Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Science or Doing Qualitative Research
Dissertation
Options include:
Challenging Concepts in Mental Health
Critical Psychology
Personal and Social Transformations
Topics in Psychosocial Studies
Career and progression opportunities
The course explores processes of social change and participatory engagement and equips graduates with theoretical knowledge, research skills and practical insights for working in the field of community psychology. It also serves as an ideal grounding for the further use and study of participatory modes of enquiry at doctoral level.
