PSY3140 Developing Sustainable Communities

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

REQUISITES

RATIONALE

The underlying premise of this course is that the psychological wellbeing of individuals cannot be understood in isolation from broader social contexts. It recognises that an expanding role of psychologists is to provide consultancy to many sectors of the community, including local government, education, community health and local "grassroots" action groups, as well as government and non-government organisations. To offer such assistance, competencies in systems level of analysis and intervention are required. Such consultancy requires a broad understanding of strategies for supporting the needs of people in their communities, along with being able to facilitate collaboration within and between organisations and other community sectors with which they interface. Community psychologists focus on the strengths and competencies of the "community as client" rather than on individuals. They value human differences and are committed to the principles of flexibility, equity and respect for cultural diversity as core values underpinning community sustainability. Community psychologists assist with the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, decision-making processes, development of action plans, and evaluation of their outcomes. An appreciation of sustainability factors is implicated in all phases of the processes.

SYNOPSIS

The course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and practices in community change and development, including perspectives that have emerged from health, social, organizational, and environmental psychology. The course will cover both the theory and practice of sustainable community development including strategies such as assessment of community readiness for change, community needs analysis and mapping, building and sustaining sense of community and motivation for change, all founded on considerations of empowerment, social justice, and valuing diversity. Broader ethical issues pertaining to change at social and community level will be considered, along with implications of globalisation for community sustainability.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of social networks at community level and their impact on health and community sustainability (Theoretical Essay)
2. explain the roles of social sciences in the development, implementation and outcome analysis of community development policies and programs (Theoretical Essay)
3. assess and map the psychosocial climate of a community setting and demonstrate its role in functional and dysfunctional settings (Theoretical Essay, Intervention Essay)
4. plan and implement strategies to promote citizen/consumer participation for community development in social change and public policy making inclusive of all stakeholders (Intervention Essay)
5. demonstrate communication skills necessary to promote social cohesion, establishing and maintaining effective relations with professional groups within the community, conflict identification and resolution within social networks, interdisciplinary consultation & community agency networking, citizen/consumer advocacy, and maintenance of a reflective-generative practice (Theoretical Essay, Intervention Essay)5. demonstrate communication skills necessary to promote social cohesion, establishing and maintaining effective relations with professional groups within the community, conflict identification and resolution within social networks, interdisciplinary consultation & community agency networking, citizen/consumer advocacy, and maintenance of a reflective-generative practice (Theoretical Essay, Intervention Essay)
6. provide a range of consultancy services to organisations and communities which includes facilitating the formation of social networks within various contexts (Theoretical Essay, Intervention Essay)
7. demonstrate a working knowledge of social justice issues, professional, legal and ethical aspects of community development practice and research (Theoretical Essay, Intervention Essay)

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

No text is assigned for this course. Materials will be provided in class and through the course website.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Journal of Community Psychology,

Dean, H 2003, Environmental organisation achievements: the role of psychosocial processes, St Lucia, Qld.

Jason, LA (ed) 2004, Participatory community research: theories and methods in action, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Rappaport, J & Seidman, E 2000, Handbook of community psychology, Kluwer Academic, New York.

Revenson, TA et al 2002, Ecological research to promote social change: methodological advances from community psychology, Kluwer Academic/Plenum, New York.

Roseland, Mark 2005, Toward sustainable communities: resources for citizens and their governments., New Society Publishers Ltd.

Weil, M (ed) 2005, Handbook of community practice, Sage Publications, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Due dates will be negotiated in the first week of class.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 0% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   N/A
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.