32037 - Theories and Methods of Community Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student

1. - knows the key concepts and the theoretical models of community psychology
2.  - knows and uses instruments to analyse the emergent needs in the communities and in the ordinary life contexts
3. - knows the exsisting services devoted to the persons in the local commuty,
4. - knows the methodology of action research
5. - is able to use specific instruments to work in preventive, remedial and empowerment projects 

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester (from the end of September until the mid December 2014) at the Cesena Campus of the School of Psychology and Education (address: viale Europa, 115, Cesena, FC).

The course aims to illustrate the main theoretical approaches 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 with which they interact. The focus of the analysis and intervention is on the strengths of people rather than on individual or community deficits or problems. The goal is to articulate human capital development, political action and scientific inquiry, in order to realise a maximally equitable distribution of psychological as well as material resources.

The course is articulated in two parts:

Part I: 45 hours (teacher prof. Bruna Zani)

Community Psychology in the national, European and international scenario: origins and development of the discipline;

Goals and theoretical perspectives: the ecological and systemic approach, the community critical psychology;

Community psychology as linking science;

Analysis of the key concepts: otherness, relatedness, power, empowerment, social wellbeing, sense of community, participation and commitment to change, social justice, respect of the cultural diversities;

Discussion of some community projects with the help of professionals and experts.

Part 2: 15 hours ( teacher: prof. Cinzia Albanesi)

Participatory methods  used by community psychologists (PAR - participatory action research, partnerships and participatory community building, participatory community planning) will be presented through lectures. Exemplar participatory experiences /projects  will be analysed and discussed in class.

Competencies required to community psychologist to work with different groups (coalitions, self help groups, professional groups) will be discussed.  The characteristics of the different groups  whom community psychologists work with will be presented and commented

Readings/Bibliography

For the written examination:

1. Zani B. (a cura di) (2012) Psicologia di comunità. Prospettive, idee, metodi. Carocci,Roma (except chapters 8 and 9) 
2. Santinello M. & Vieno A. (a cura di) (2013) Metodi di intervento in psicologia di comunità, Il Mulino, Bologna (except chapters I and II)

For the oral examination, one text chosen in the following list:

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

- Bobbio L. (2004) A più voci. Amministrazioni pubbliche, imprese, associazioni e cittadini nei processi decisionali inclusivi. Napoli. Edizione Sicentifiche Italiane. Scaricabile qui http://www.funzionepubblica.gov.it/media/274608/a_pi_voci.pdf

- Giovannini D., Vezzali , L. (a cura di) (2012). Immigrazione, processi interculturali e cittadinanza attiva, Edizioni Melagrana, Caserta 

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

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

- Moro G. (2013) Cittadinanza attiva e qualità della democrazia, Carocci, Roma

- Nicoli A., Pellegrino V. ( a cura di) (2011). L'empowerment nei servizi sanitari e sociali, Il Pensiero Scientifico, Roma 

- Roccato M., Mannarini T. (2012). Non nel mio giardino. Prendere sul serio i movimenti Nimby. Bologna: il Mulino.

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

Teaching methods

lessons, work in small groups, case analysis, meetings with experts and professionals

Assessment methods

The final examination will include

1. Written essay on the recommended texts: 4 open ended questions (in 2 hours time), aimed to assess the acquired basic knowledge in the topics of the course and the critical thinking in the analysis of the psychosocial phenomena. The essay has to be positively evaluated (= or > 18/30) in order to allow the access to the oral examination.

2. Oral examination on a text chosen by the student from the proposed list or approved by the teachers. The oral examination is aimed to investigate n depth a specific topic among those illustrated during the course and  will be evaluated  from 0 to 2 marks, that will be added to the mark of the written essay.

Teaching tools

PC, Internet, power point presentations

Links to further information

http://www.psicologia.unibo.it/it/ricerca/gruppi-di-ricerca/gruppo-di-ricerca-in-psicologia-di-comunità; www.sipco.it

Office hours

See the website of Bruna Zani

See the website of Cinzia Albanesi