32037 - Theories and Methods of Community Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student

- knows the key concepts and the theoretical models of community psychology

 - knows and uses instruments to analyse the emergent needs in the communities and in the ordinary life contexts

- knows the exsisting services devoted to the persons in the local commuty,

- knows the methodology of action research

- is able to use specific instruments to work in preventive, remedial and empowerment projects 

Course contents

The course tends to illustrate the main theoretical orientations of community psychology, starting from an analysis of its origins and development at national and international level.  Community Psychology is a new perspective, a new way of thinking and consider the reality, based on the premise that persons and their needs can be understood only within the social contexts to which they belong and within which they interact. The focus of the analysis and intervention is on the strenghts of people rather than on individual or community deficits or problems. Central topics are its ecological nature (fit between person and his life contexts), the respect for the cultural diversity to avoid discrimination, and a committment on social change. The goal is to balance human resource development, political activity and scientific inquiry, in order to realise a maximally equitable distribution of psychological as well as material resources.

The second part will be devoted to the discussion of research and intervention methods in community psychology, both at schools and institutional and social contexts, with a special emphasis on emotional education, participatory action research, empowement strategies at individual, group and collective level, network analysis, in order to maximise the use of local resources. School is located in a wider social cotext, which offers services able to respond to the needs of the social actors in the different life stages.  

Some community intervention projects will be considered with the help of professionals and experts.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Prezza M. e Santinello M. (2002) Conoscere la comunità. L'analisi degli ambienti di vita quotidiana, Il Mulino, Bologna
2. Vieno A. (2005) Creare comunità scolastica, Unicopli, Milano
3. N.2, 2008 of the Journal "Psicologia di comunità", special issue on Action-research 
4. Boog, B. (2003) The emancipatory character of action research, its history and the present state of the art, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 426.438

For the oral examination  one text to be chosen from the following list

Arcidiacono C. (Ed.) (2004) Volontariato e legami collettivi. Bisogni di comunità e relazione reciproca, Angeli, Milano

Bastianoni P. (a cura di) (2000) Interazioni in comunità, Carocci, Roma

Colombo A., Genovese A., Canevaro A. (a cura di) (2006) Immigrazione e nuove identità urbane, Erickson, Trento.

Gelli B. (a cura di) (2007) Le nuove forme della partecipazione, Carocci, Roma

Gelli B. e Mannarini T. (2007), La partecipazione: modi e percorsi. Dai Papa boys ai no global, UNICOPLI, Milano

Francescato D., Tomai M., Mebane M. (2004), Psicologia di comunità per la scuola, l'orientamento e la formazione, Il Mulino, Bologna

Lavanco G. e Hombrados Mendieta M.I. (a cura di ) (2009) Lavoro di comunità e intervento sociale interculturale, Angeli, Milano

Putton A. (a cura di) (1999) Empowerment e scuola, Carocci, Roma

Speltini G. (a cura di ) (2005) Minori, disagio e aiuto psicosociale, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Teaching methods

lessons, groupwork, meetings with experts and practitioners

Assessment methods

The final examination will include

1. Written essay on the recommended readings

2. Oral examination on a text chosen from the proposed list or approved by the teacher. 

The oral examination can be replaced by participation to group work

Teaching tools

slide projector, computer, photocopies

Links to further information

http://Lab-comunita@psice.unibo.it; www.sipco.it

Office hours

See the website of Bruna Zani