Kaufman Hall Room 170
717-245-1076
Sharon Kingston is a clinical community psychologist. Her research interests include neighborhood effects on individual and family well-being with particular emphasis on identifying aspects of successful parenting in high-risk urban neighborhoods, prevention and health promotion in low-income communities and factors related to early initiation of substance use among children and adolescents.
PSYC 375 Rsch Meth Comm Psyc: Prog Eval
Community Psychology is an applied subdiscipline of psychology that uses social and behavioral science to enhance the well-being of people and their communities and to prevent harmful outcomes. In this course, students will learn how to conduct a program evaluation, one of the primary research methods used in community psychology. Program evaluation uses social science research methods to systematically collect information that can be used to improve social, educational and health services. Although community psychologists use many different methodologies (including field experiments, quasi-experimental methods, correlational research and qualitative research), this intensive class will focus on program evaluation because it is one of the most commonly used methods in community psychology and is considered a core competency for community psychologists. This is a community-based research class and we will be partnering with a community agency to evaluate their services. Three hours classroom plus three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisites: 210 & 211.
PSYC 550 The Impact of Social Media on
PSYC 175 Intro Community Clinical Psych
This course will provide an introduction to the field of community psychology. Community psychology focuses on promoting well-being and preventing negative mental health and social outcomes by understanding persons-in-context and the ways that social issues, institutions, and settings impact individuals, families and communities. In the course, we will: (a) review the historical underpinnings of community psychology; (b) examine the field's major tenets and theories, including its emphasis on understanding the role of the environment in human behavior; (c) explore he field's application to prevent negative mental health and social outcomes and promote well-being and social justice.
PSYC 211 Design of Psychological Resrch
Completion of both PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 fulfills the WID Requirement.
PSYC 475 Seminar in Comm Psychology
This course is an advanced seminar that focuses in depth on special topics in the field of community psychology. The practice of community psychology is typically directed toward the design and evaluation of strategies aimed at preventing psychological disorders, promoting self-help, mutual aid and empowerment for marginalized communities and promoting social justice and change. The goal is to optimize the well-being of individuals and communities with innovative and alternative interventions designed in collaboration with affected community members and with other related disciplines inside and outside of psychology. Topics may include substance abuse and addiction, serious mental illness, delinquency, stress and coping, prevention vs. intervention, and social support. This is service learning course. Students will develop their understanding of topical issues by reading and synthesizing primary and secondary sources, participating in class discussions and applied exercises, and participating in a service learning project in partnership with community service or advocacy agencies. Prerequisites: 210 & 211.
PSYC 500 Independent Study
PSYC 550 Independent Research