PSYCHOLOGY 174:
COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY

Dr. Gretchen Wehrle, Psychology
Notre Dame de Namur University
gwehrle@ndnu.edu
(650) 508 3659
Fall 2002

Course Description:

Community Psychology studies a wide variety of forces and structures in the community which affect the positive growth, development, and functioning of its members. This class will include a review of the field of community psychology, a discussion of underlying concepts (e.g., ecological approach, “blaming the victim” ideology, prevention, social change, active citizenship), and training and experience in civic engagement and community dialogues. As students become involved in the community, they will meet regularly to reflect upon their learning experiences.

Community Partner:

The Community Psychology class of Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) will partner with the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center of San Mateo (PCRQ. We will be working with PCRC’s Civic Engagement Initiative as it relates to children and families and will be involved in facilitation training, community dialogues, and reflection activities. Our community partners at PCRC will be:

Katie Howard, Coordinator of the Civic Engagement Initiative, (650) 373-3490
Michelle Vilchez, Project Manager of Civic Engagement Initiative, (650) 373-3490

Course Outcomes:
Expected course outcomes are:

• Students should have a good understanding of the field of community psychology and its underlying theories.
• Students should have gained training and experience in civic engagement/community dialogues and a greater recognition of their role as active citizens.
• Through reflection activities, students should increase self awareness of their strengths and competencies.
• Through experiential activities, students should become more knowledgeable about planned and unplanned social change.

Required Course Texts:

• SOUL OF A CITIZEN, Paul Rogat Loeb, St. Martin’s Griffin.
• THE MAGIC OF DIALOGUE, Daniel Yankelovich, A Touchstone Book.
• PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER: The Civic Engagement Initiative’s Resource Guide 2000, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center.
• Other assigned readings will be distributed in class throughout the semester.

Class Requirements:

1. Class attendance and participation

Students are expected to attend each class session; absences will negatively affect your final grade. Participation in class discussions/reflections and demonstrations of your knowledge of assigned reading will be considered in the final grading.

2. Community-Based Learning Activities

In addition to class attendance, each student will be required to participate in the following community based learning activities:

Attend one and a half days of facilitation training.
Participate in PCRC class presentation and dialogue.

Host a PCRC network support meeting at Notre Dame de Namur University. Participate in four community dialogues with PCRC staff.

Plan and conduct a community dialogue with faculty, students, and staff at NDNU. Plan, facilitate, and participate in a final reflection activity with PCRC staff.

3. Reflection Activities

For each of the above community based learning activities, students will be required to write a 4-6 page reflection paper. You will record your activities, observations, insights, and questions after each experience. (You will receive more details about what information should be included.) Each student will also be expected to be an active participant during class reflection activities and will be given the opportunity to share any thoughts and feelings from his/her reflection paper.

4. Reading Assignments

On the dates below, be prepared to discuss the designated sections of the three readings. There are no written assignments, but you will be graded on the extent of your class participation.

o Loeb, SOUL OF A CITIZEN
Thursday, September 12: Chapters 1-3
Thursday, November 7: Chapters 4-8
Thursday, December 3: Chapters 9-12

o Yankelovich, THE MAGIC OF DIALOGUE
Tuesday, October 15: Chapters 1-7
Tuesday, October 22: Chapters 8-14

o PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
Tuesday, October 29: Chapters I-VI
Tuesday, November 5: Chapters VII-XI

5. Class Project

Drawing upon the training and experiences gained throughout the semester, each of you is required to do a class project. Students will be responsible for choosing a focus topic as well as planning and conducting a campus dialogue of the NDNU community. The NDNU community dialogue is scheduled for November 15th and students, faculty, staff, and administration will be the invited guests.

6. Final Reflection Act

Students will plan and facilitate a final reflection activity at the end of the semester. Our community partner, PCRC, will be invited to join us for a dialogue focusing on the semester’s experiences. Successes and challenges will be discussed with the goal being to strengthen the community partnership for future collaborations.

Grading: Your final grade will be based on:

• Quality of the assignments (writing, presentations, depth, critical analysis) (25%)
• Evaluation of your participation in community dialogues by PCRC staff (20%)
• Your attendance and participation in class (25%)
• Involvement in required CBL activities (30%)

Specific attention will be given to the student’s:

Awareness of community
Involvement in the community
Commitment to service
Self awareness
Understanding of course content
Sensitivity to diversity

Class Schedule:

Introduction and Self Assessment

Overview of Community Psychology
Presentation by NDNU’s Director of Community Based Learning

Discussion of “Blaming the Victim”
Discussion of Loeb, Chapters 1 3

Discussion of the Importance of Social Change
Presentation by Community Partner (PCRC)

Facilitation Training by PCRC (One and a half days)

Model Dialogue Conducted in Class by PCRC
Reflection Activity on Training/Model Community Dialogue

Presentation by a Faculty Member from San Jose State University
Focusing on a Case Study of a Community Dialogue

Initial Planning Meeting for Campus Dialogue

Discussion of Yankelovich, Chapters 1 7
Continue to Plan for Campus Dialogue

Discussion of Yankelovich, Chapters 8 14
Continue to Plan for Campus Dialogue

Discussion of PCRC Resource Guide, Chapters I VI
Reflection on Students’ Experiences in the Community

Discussion of PCRC Resource Guide, Chapters VII XI
Continue to Plan for Campus Dialogue

Finalize Plans for Campus Dialogue Hold Campus Dialogue at NDNU

Reflection Paper on Campus Dialogue Due
Reflection Activity in Class
Host PCRC Network Support Meeting

Reflection Paper on PCRC Community Dialogues Due
Reflection Activity in Class

Final Reflection Activity with Community Partner (PCRQ)