Text: Glenwick, D. S. & Jason, L. A. (Eds.), (1993). Promoting health and mental health in children, youth, and families. N.Y.: Springer.

1. Purpose and Aims:

This course is designed to convey a basic overview of behavioral community psychology. Throughout the course, attempts will be made to integrate theoretical issues with concrete, applied applications. Students will be exposed to a variety of behavioral strategies for bringing about change in environments and individuals. Lectures, guest lectures, classroom discussions and group projects will be used to achieve the above aims.

2. Objectives:

Students are expected to gain a greater appreciation of potent environmental influences on human development, and the ways in which these dimensions can be modified to produce more healthful outcomes. Following course completion, those in this class will have a better understanding of system level influences on themselves, organizations and communities. Exposure to this course should help instill a better appreciation of social and psychological concepts governing behavior, interactions, and change, as well as organizational and community functioning.

3. Course content and readings:

Students will read the book listed above. Students will be presented general behavioral principles which operate in diverse settings. Readings and lectures will enable students to competently discuss and understand the following topics: conceptual limitations in the traditional model, salient components of the community model, and barriers to implementing preventive interventions. Following this, environmental behavioral interventions at individual, group, organizational, community and societal levels, will be thoroughly presented.

4. Grading Policies:

A  final exam will cover readings and lectures.  Students will also be required to do an independent project.  The midterm and final exam each comprise 30% of the grade (midterm=30%, final=30%). The self-control and community project will contribute 15% of the final grade.  In addition, 20% of the grade will be earned by attendance. Students will receive one point for each class that they arrive at by 8:30 and do not leave class until 10:00.  Students who are sick due to medical reasons and who have a note from their physicians will be given class credit. Students will earn 5 points for a student presentation on a chapter of the book. Final grades will be determined by the number of points accrued, based on the following format: 90 - 100, A; 80 - 89, B; 70 - 79, C; 60 - 69, D; - 59, F.

Readings:

Week 1 Chapter 1

Week 2 Chapter 3

Week 3 Chapter 11

Week 4 Chapter 10

Week 5 Chapter 4

Week 6 Chapter 2

Week 7 Chapter 6

Week 8 Chapter 7

Week 9 Chapter 5

Week 10 Chapter 9