Requirements:
1. Reading: Duffy, K.G., Wong, F.Y. (2003) Community psychology, 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
2. Venango Campus Assessment: During the first part of class, we will be applying basic principles of community psychology to assessing our own community, the Venango Campus. There will be a series of in-class and take-home exercises which you will combine into an overall assessment of the Venango Campus community. The assessment will be 3 typed pages and you will attach all of the exercises. You can do the assessment alone or in a group of two or three. If you do it as a group, only one assessment will be turned in for the group (with exercises from each individual member attached), and all group members receive the same grade.
The assessment is due on Feb. 22 and is worth up to 80 points toward your final grade. Grades will be based on completion of all assessment components, accurate understanding of the material and thoughtful discussion of the results.
3. Assignments: There will be four 2-3 page typed take-home assignments due during the second part of class. These assignments will give you practice in evaluating commnity interventions. Assignments are due one week after they are handed out. Each assignment is worth 20 points, for a total of up to 80 points toward your final grade. Assignments will be graded for accuracy of understanding and thoughtful analysis.
4. Response Papers: During the last four weeks of class, we will be applying the principles of community psychology to various settings, including visits from guest speakers who work in those settings. There will be four response papers which will give you an opportunity to express your views on the programs described in class and in the book. Papers will be written on a form handed out in class and you will have a week to do them. Each paper is worth 10 points toward your final grade, for a total of 40 points toward your final grade. Response papers will be graded for accuracy of understanding and thoughtful consideration.
5. Focus on Our Future Annual Forum: On Thursday, April 21st, the Venango County Focus on Our Future Community Coalition will sponsor its annual community forum. This forum is a day long and will include three workshops and lunch. This is a great opportunity to learn more about community psychology as well as to network with local leaders in the field. To meet this requirement, you must attend for the full day and respond to a set of take-home questions (3 typed papers) about your experience at the forum. You will receive 20 points for attending the forum and up to 30 points for answering the take-home questions, for a total of up to 50 points toward your final grade. This assignment is due May 3rd.
If you are unable to or don't wish to attend the forum, you can do an alternate assignment. Chose a local community and a problem, and write a five page paper that 1) explains the extent of the problem, 2) describes the programs currently available in the community for
6. Class Participation: Regular attendance and active participation are required for this class. We have a number of in-class assignments, guest speakers, and take-home assignments that require class attendance and participation. If you cannot attend regularly, you will not be able to successfully complete the assignments and will have difficulty passing the class.
Lateness Policy: You have a total of 10 late days to use during the semester. These days can be applied to any of the assignments and can be used all at once or scattered throughout the semester. For every day an assignment is late, one day will be deducted from your allowance. After you have used all of your late days, one point will be deducted for every day you are late with an assignment. Whatever days you have left over at the end of the semester will be converted into extra credit points. If you turn everything in on time for example, you will receive 10 points of extra credit toward your final grade. All assignments are due at or before the beginning of class. Anything handed in after that time will be considered late.
Final Grade Totals:
A 225 - 250 B 200 - 224 C 175 - 199 D 150 - 174 E Below 150
Schedule:
Part I: Basic Concepts
1/11
Understanding Ecology
In-Class Exercise: Ecology of Venango Campus
Take-Home Exercise: Using Archival Research to Assess Ecology
1/18
Diversity & Cultural Competence
Read: Chapter 1
Take-Home Exercise: Interview a "Different" Student
1/25
Sense of Community
In-Class Exercise: Creating a Representative Sample
Take-Home Exercise: Sense of Community Questionnaire
2/1
Scientific Research Methods
Read: Chapter 2
In-Class Exercise: Identifying Stakeholders & Designing Focus Group Questions
2/8
Needs Assessment
Take-Home Exercise: Analyzing Results of Focus Groups
Part II: Prevention and Promotion
2/15
Social Change
Read: Chapter 3
In-Class Assignment: Developing a Set of Indicators
2/22
Coalition Building
Read: Chapter 4
Take-Home Assignment: Analyzing Community Indicators
Venango Campus Assessment Due
3/1
St