Essay Historical Development of Community Psychology in the South Africa – Arts & Humanities Assignment Help

Assignment Task

Module Description
The module introduces the student to the field of community psychology, specifically looking at the historical development of community psychology in the South African context. The unique social challenges faced by communities in South Africa will be explored through its conceptual definitions, looking at the implications for the community and the intervention strategies proposed. This will acquaint the student with the realities faced by many South African citizens.
The module further delves into the concept of an African cosmology as well as culture, how the individual perceives themselves existing in a community with others, and how this reality impacts their position and role in the community. Considering that people interact with their social and physical environments and that a community may be considered a social system, with its interacting members comprising of various subsystems within it, students are familiarized with various ecological approaches that are used to better understand the community as a system.
This module offers insight into the assessment of a community’s needs and existing resources, as well as information on what to consider when planning and implementing a community project. This module further places emphasis on bringing community members together to collaboratively work on empowering the community resulting in greater social change.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of community psychology, what constitutes a community, and reflect on the complexity of a community;
• Discuss the role of culture and an African cosmology in how the community is perceived and understood;
• Critically reflect on the importance of ecological systems in community contexts and how one system impacts the other;
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the pivotal role critical psychology plays as a catalyst for social change in communities;
• Conduct a needs and resources assessment;
• Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based programme theory, which they may use for developing, implementing and monitoring preventative and developmental programmes in response to the identified needs, for individuals and groups in community contexts;
• Discuss the strategies that underly community capacity building and identify all the stakeholders involved;
• Differentiate between various levels of community organizing and should demonstrate familiarity with the process involved in establishing community partnerships;
• Conceptualise a community project plan and propose strategies for monitoring and evaluation of the project plan; and
• Provide sound motivation for the role, impact and benefits of empowerment evaluation in community contexts.