Module: Communities & Wellbeing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Communities & Wellbeing
Module Code	PSY1071 (ITS: PSYC518)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module aims: (1) To evaluate theories and concepts of wellbeing; (2) To develop students’ potential as an agent of change with regard to strategic policy making concerning marginalised groups, (in)equalities in health, mental-health, well-being and community development at local community level, regional and national levels; (3) To introduce the psychological development of community practice through historical and theoretical lenses; (4) To debate on individual versus social-level approaches to well-being; (5) To promote the understanding of the importance of current wellbeing related policies; (6) To promote the understanding of the importance of legislative and social justice frameworks underpinning community practice; (7) To develop awareness of the importance of a community psychology approach to promoting empowerment in communities; (8) To develop a critical approach to understanding the various ideologies underlying discourse and debates about provision of services relating to individuals and communities; (9) To promote students’ awareness of the current issues effecting contemporary Irish society and how these impact on well-being, health and psychological states, on the individual, on communities and nationally.

Learning Outcomes

1. To evaluate theories and concepts of wellbeing.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of marginalisation and the link between individuals’ lives and the communities they inhabit.
3. Critically evaluate the theoretical and practical contribution of community psychology to psychology and well-being.
4. Analyse the contribution of evidenced based practice as an agent of change in marginalised communities.
5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the ways in which social and community problems are linked to wider theoretical issues and contemporary culture, society and economy.
6. Complete a case study on a community based practice.
7. Critically navigate the literature and present work that bears relevance in both a theoretical and practical space.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	On-campus lectures with accompanying online asynchronous materials to be completed before each lecture
Seminars	6	Seminar/workshops
Directed learning	60	Specified Learning activities related to weekly lectures; synthesis evaluation and literature searching
Independent Study	160	Independent study
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20984	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Louise Hopper	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Position Paper	50%	Once per semester
Group project	Students, in their groups, will apply a community psychology lens (theory and practice) to the case (project) they have chosen to study in the PSYC517 Environmental influences on Wellbeing module.	50%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is wellbeing? How has it been studied and conceptualized?

Issues of ecological validity in the study of wellbeing

Community Psychology: What is it and what does it do?

Psychology; paradigm shifts in practice

Wellbeing: policy and practice

Interactions: Linking individuals with community

Appreciating diversity

Stress, coping and social support

Integration of services: range of theory and CP

Risk: crime, drugs, anxiety and fragmentation

Resilience and wellness

Embracing social change: empowerment

Disempowerment through professionalization; a challenge for practitioners

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Kagan, C., Burton, M., Duckett, P., Lawthom, R., & Siddiquee, A. (2011).: 0, Critical community psychology., West Sussex, UK: Wiley.,
Riemer, M., Reich, S.M., Evans, S.D., Nelson, G. & Prilleltensky, I.: 2020, Community Psychology: In Pursuit of Liberation and Wellbeing, 3rd, Red Globe Press, London, UK, 480, 9781137464095
Adams, L (2002): 0, Promoting Health Politics and Practice,, London: Sage Publications.,
Bane, L. (2007).: 0, A Seagull’s View – Adult and Community Education In P.Downes & A-L. Gilligan (eds.), Beyond Educational Disadvantage., Dublin: IPA,
Groth-Marnat, G. (2009): 0, Handbook of Psychological Assessment, 5th ed. Ed., John Wiley & Sons New York, 978047
Furr, R. M., & Bacharach, V. R. (2014): 0, Psychometrics: An Introduction, Sage London,
Mackereth, C. J., Brown, J. S., & Learmonth, A. M. (2014).: 0, Promoting public mental health and well-being: Principles into practice., Jessica Kingsley Publishers.,
Maître, B., Whelan, C. T., & Russell, H. (2016).: 0, Social Risk and Social Class Patterns in Poverty and Quality of Life in Ireland., Welfare.ie,
Miller LA, Lovler RL (2016): 0, Foundations of Psychological Testing: A Practical Approach, 5th Ed., Sage Publications,
Orford. J (2008).: 0, Community Psychology: Challenges, controversies and emerging consensus.,
Sidell, M. et al eds. (2003): 0, Debates and Dilemmas in Promoting Health. 2nd ed., Basingstoke: Macmillan,

Articles:

Collibee, C., LeTard, A. J., & Wargo Aikins, J. (2016).: 0, The moderating role of friendship quality on associations between autonomy and adolescent adjustment., The Journal of Early Adolescence, 36(2), 251-266., 59402
0: Applying a theory of change approach to interagency planning in child mental health., American Journal of Community Psychology38, 165-174,

Other Resources

Website: Community Psychology Section, British Psychological Society (BPS)., A Community Psychology Section Response to 'The Origins of Happiness', https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mTHzX0oEoi23Z6jI8wJhmXMfeypaE8ag/view