To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

With reference to the main concepts presented in the course of Social Psychology, the course in Community Psychology, will introduce the students to the specific analytical perspective of this discipline. This shifts individualistic views of the sources of well-being considering them in terms of a collective dimension. The focus will be on the relationships between people (especially between the social worker and the service user) and between people and the contexts they live in. Students will study the importance of a sense of community, the concept of participation and community empowerment for individual and social changes. It will be demonstrated how community work can deal with psycho-social problems and develop individual resources in relationship settings. Theoretical principles that guide social workers will be discussed during the lessons.
Course topics:
• human development and the importance of relationships
• quality of life, disease, prevention and health promotion
• the community development: from changing process to its results
• psychological resources and empowerment
• sense of community and involvement
• social support, networking and community
• community work: operators, environments and modalities
• relationship and empathy in social work

Program

Bibliography:

Santinello M., Dallago L., Vieno A. (2009). Fondamenti di Psicologia di Comunità, Il Mulino, BO.

Fortuna F., Tiberio A. (2001). Il mondo dell’empatia, F. Angeli, MI. Chapters: 1, 3 (par. 1 and 2), 7.

Bonino S. (2006). Contagio, empatia e comportamento prosociale, in: G.V. Caprara and S. Bonino (Eds.) Il comportamento pro sociale. Aspetti individuali, familiari e sociali, Erickson, TN

Examination Methods

Written exam with open questions.