Course content

This course explores key concepts, principles, and research methods in community psychology. Adopting an ecological perspective on human functioning, community psychology emphasizes mental health and well-being as outcomes of interaction between individuals and broader social systems. This field provides a contextual approach to understanding psychological and mental health challenges and promotes sustainable, community-level change through participatory action research, community-based interventions, policy development, and advocacy. The discipline prioritizes improving the health and mental health of at-risk, vulnerable, and marginalized groups.

The course integrates insights from critical and cultural psychology, examining both shared and unique elements of community psychology in diverse global contexts, as well as in Norway and Scandinavian societies. Relevant topics include empowerment and social support; the interplay between power, politics, and psychology; complexity theory and systems analysis in social change; sense of community and collective resilience; relational and collective well-being; self-determination; belonging, participation, and mattering; and intersectionality

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• The student gains an advanced understanding of foundational concepts, theories, and community-based participatory research methods in community psychology.

• The student analyzes and applies complexity and systems perspectives to identify how social, cultural, and environmental factors affect individuals, groups, and communities' behavior and well-being.

• The student develops knowledge about effective community-based solutions for socio-political issues such as social inequality, delinquency, homelessness, discrimination, health inequities, and youth marginalization.

Skills:

• The student critically assesses multisystemic social determinants influencing the living conditions, health, and mental well-being of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

• The student integrates quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods, as well as creative and interdisciplinary tools within participatory action research designs.

• The student applies principles of community psychology, empirical findings, and community insights to propose policy solutions addressing complex social issues.

• The student develops problem-solving skills through independent, problem-based learning projects involving collaborative learning and oral presentations.

General Competence:

• Recognize how to leverage community strengths to address challenges impacting individuals and group well-being.

• Cultivate cultural competence and adhere to ethical standards when working with at-risk groups.

• Appreciate the importance of diversity and inclusion in psychology by critically evaluating how intersecting inequities (e.g., race, social class, gender and sexual identity, ability) shape human development.

• Understand how local and global factors contribute to human well-being and social development.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, group facilitation, and oral presentations.

Problem-based learning projects and collaborative learning.

Language: English/Norwegian.

Compulsory assignments

• Group facilitation: case analysis based on assigned readings
• Oral presentation of project (assignment)
• Minimum of 80% attendance

Specific conditions

Credit reductions