This module provides the opportunity for students to learn how workplace problems and solutions can relate to Community Psychology. Visiting speakers (where possible) will present the problems in scheduled teaching sessions. Teaching sessions will include key theories relevant to Community Psychology (e.g., citizenship and community, social justice, discrimination). Students will work in teams to debate and select one of the problems presented to research and analyse various real-life, problem-solving solutions that require the application of psychological theory and evidence to practice. Self-directed study sessions will then take place, structured by set objectives for each week. These sessions will allow students to work in teams to analyse, investigate and address their chosen ‘problem’ through effective communication, research and analysis. As they progress toward a final proposal, students could explore relevant issues (e.g., identity management, leadership styles, unconscious bias, motivation, volunteering) while working toward a fair and equitable solution. Each group will present a 3-minute group pitch on their intervention (formative learning task). Students will then complete an individual 1000-word executive summary presenting a summary of the intervention and pre-record an individual reflective presentation.

There are two forms of assessment for this module: an executive summary and a pre-recorded reflective presentation.

Students will write a 1000-word executive summary to a community organisation summarising their problem-solving intervention. This will be focused on critically applying psychology theory and evidence to a Community Psychology problem (LO2,3). This executive summary will contain a suitably structured summary in a professional narrative, suitable for workplace dissemination, this will include references to validate evidence-based information (LO2,3) Students will need to show evidence within the executive summary of engaging in lectures, speaker sessions, and supported/self-directed research, critical evaluation and problem solving.

The final assessment is a pre-recorded, 10-minute presentation that will allow each student to reflect on the development of the problem-solving process from conception to presentation. The focus is on the positive skills gained, and how the students could use this development to promote themselves. This will include reflection focused on employability skills (LO1).

As a formative assessment students will work in small groups to produce 1 power-point slide and deliver a 3-minute pitch summarising their group-based solution to a Community Psychology problem. The formative pitch-presentation will be included in the appendix of the summative executive summary.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities (24)

Lectures/workshop sessions will introduce the module, assessment and cover some relevant community psychology issues (e.g., citizenship, role of organisation/charities in the community, role of volunteering, first order change (altering outcomes for individuals within a structure) second order change (influence policies and social interactions).

Visiting speakers (where possible), outline of organisation’s objectives and identification of problem for students to solve and focus group Q&A session.

Class discussions on problems presented and organising teams and goals.

Tutor meetings - student teams will meet with their tutor.

Pitch session - each group will pitch their solution and engage in further discussion with and/or about the organisation.

Reflection – a pre-recorded ‘skills gained’ individual presentation.

Guided and self-directed study (176)

Tutors will monitor progress and learning through a regular reporting mechanism (progress report and target setting record, signed by the tutor at each meeting).

1. Engage in and critically reflect on management of own learning and group work to present a solution to a Community Psychology problem, utilising specialist psychological topics.



2. Identify and apply contemporary psychological theory and research to present evidenced based practical solutions to a Community Psychology problem.



3. Demonstrate the ability to present a problem-solving solution to a professional audience using a variety of communication methods. This will involve identifying a range of solutions and critically evaluating arguments, assumptions and evidence to make judgements relevant to the future workplace.

Blackboard VLE

Library access to relevant textbooks, journals, ebooks

Internet access to relevant websites and online databases

Visiting speaker / organisation information packs

General texts:
Arnold, J. & Randall, R. (2016) Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in the Workplace. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Hogg, M.A. and Vaughan, G.M. (2018). Social Psychology. Harlow, England. Pearson.
Jex, S.M. & Britt, T.W (2014) Organizational Psychology: A Scientist Practitioner Approach (3rd ed). John Wiley and Sons Kagan, C. (2019) Critical Community Psychology: Critical Action and Social Change (2nd ed.). Routledge

Prilleltensky, I., Nelson, G., Reimer, M., Reich, S.M. & Evans, S.D. (2020) Community Psychology: In Pursuit of Liberation and Wellbeing (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury.

As you move closer to consider employability factors for your future, this module gives you the opportunity to explore links between local organisations, innovative thinking and effectively transferring psychological theory to practice. You will be applying some of the values and topics of Community Psychology through creative thinking. This could include helping to increase a sense of wellbeing in the workplace, increasing respect for diversity, or helping to shape a sense of community and belonging. Speakers from the local organisations (where possible) will participate in the delivery of ‘setting out the problem’ sessions. This is your opportunity to gain a professional insight into the organisation workplace and engage with a real-life case-study that will present a problem for you to apply research and analysis to using problem-solving skills. You will use your knowledge of Community Psychology to find a ‘solution’ that you will then turn into an inspirational, 3-minute pitch. You will develop time-management skills, self-directed study skills, knowledge of workplace problems linked to psychology-based solutions and a real-life understanding of how people are affected by their environments. This can contribute to both your citizenship skills and your employability.