Community psychology (BPS250)

Content

The course provides an introduction to social psychology as a discipline, relevant issues within social psychology, and areas of social psychology practice. The course will provide knowledge of how psychological mechanisms act at societal level, and how societal factors affect psychological health. The course will provide knowledge about marginalization processes, discrimination and reconciliation processes after conflict. The course will also provide an introduction to how structural conditions and local community-based measures can prevent and promote psychological health. The course will provide an introduction to social psychology's working and research methods and will provide an introduction to the issue of power and disempowerment.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course, students will

• have knowledge of the history, tradition and characteristics of social psychology
• know central social psychological theories, research methods and practice
• have broad knowledge of marginalization/stigmatizing processes
• have broad knowledge of reconciliation processes during/after conflict
• have broad knowledge of power and oppression in the light of social psychology have broad knowledge of social psychological interventions and preventive strategies

Skills

On successful completion of this course, students will

• be able to apply social psychological work and research methods
• be able to make reasoned choices based on practical and theoretical issues
• be able to find, assess and refer to information and subject matter so that it sheds light on a social psychological issue
• be able to master social psychological tools, techniques and forms of expression

General competencies

On successful completion of this course, students will

• have insight into relevant social psychology professional and ethical issues
• able to plan and carry out varied tasks and projects that extend over time, alone and/or participating in a group, and in line with ethical requirements and guidelines
• be able to convey social psychology subject matter such as theories, problems and solutions both in writing, orally and through other relevant forms of expression and through this contribute to the development of good social psychology practice
• have knowledge of new ideas and innovation processes within social psychology

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

BPS110 Introduction to psychology, BPS120 The History and Method of Psychology, BPS130 Personality psychology, social psychology and psychological methods, BPS140 Biological psychology, developmental psychology and cognitive psychology

Exam

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Nicolay Gausel

Study Program Director:

Bianka Anna Karshikoff

Method of work

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and discussion

• It is expected that the students come to class having studied the available syllabus

Open for

Exchange programme at Faculty of Social Sciences

Literature