Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Community Psychology Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

Module 1: Introduction to Community Psychology

• 1 Definition and scope of Community Psychology
• 2 Assumptions about problems and the shift in understanding: person, context, and change
• 3 Structural perspectives
• 4 First-order and second-order change
• 5 Core values in Community Psychology

Module 2: Understanding the Individual and Context

• 1 Key ecological principles in understanding human environments:
• a Interdependence
• b Cycling of resources
• c Adaptation
• d Succession
• 2 Social climate approach to understanding environments
• 3 Importance of context in intervention
• 4 Individualism–Collectivism: A spectrum of cultures
• 5 Identity development and acculturation

Module 3: Prevention and Promotion of Mental Health at the Community Level

• 1 Concept of prevention
• 2 Key concepts in prevention and promotion
• 3 Caplan’s model:
• a Primary prevention
• b Secondary prevention
• c Tertiary prevention
• 4 Prevention of disorders
• 5 Promotion of wellness and competence
• 6 Community-based rehabilitation
• 7 Role of community care counsellors in prevention and sustainability

Module 4: Community Psychology in Action

• 1 Strengthening social support for disempowered groups
• 2 Social support for young people
• 3 Social support interventions for women
• 4 Support for individuals with illness or disability and their families
• 5 Addressing domestic violence
• 6 Support for LGBTQ+ communities

Text Books

• 1 Kloos, B., Hill, J., Thomas, E., Wandersman, A., Elias, M. J., & Dalton, J. H. (2012). Community Psychology: Linking Individuals and Communities. Singapore: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
• 2 Orford, J. (2008). Community Psychology: Challenges, Controversies and Emerging Consensus. England: John Wiley & Sons.

Reference Books

• 1 Bhatia, S., & Sethi, N. (2007). History and theory of community psychology in India: An international perspective. In International community psychology: History and theories (pp. 180-199). Boston, MA: Springer US.
• 2 Bhatia, S. (2012). Mental Health and Community Psychology in India. Community Psychology and the Socio-economics of Mental Distress: International Perspectives
• 3 Deb, S., Sunny, A. M., & Sanyal, N. (2020). Community Psychology: Theories and Applications. SAGE Publications India.
• 4 Goodley, D., & Lawthom, R. (2005). Epistemological journeys in participatory action research: Alliances between community psychology and disability studies. Disability & society, 20(2), 135-151.
• 5 Kral, M. J., Ramírez García, J. I., Aber, M. S., Masood, N., Dutta, U., & Todd, N. R. (2011). Culture and community psychology: Toward a renewed and reimagined vision. American journal of community psychology, 47(1), 46-57.
• 6 Moritsugu, J., Vera, E., & Wong, F. Y. (2019). Community psychology. Routledge.
• 7 Nelson, G., & Prilleltensky, I. (2005). Community Psychology: In Pursuit of Liberation and Well-being. Palgrave Macmillan.
• 8 Opačić, A. (2021). Practicing Social Work in Deprived Communities. Springer International Publishing.
• 9 Roos, V., Temane, Q. M., Davis, L., Prinsloo, C. E., Kritzinger, A., Naude, E., & Wessels, J. C. (2005). Service learning in a community context: Learners' perceptions of a challenging training paradigm. South African Journal of Psychology, 35(4), 703- 716.
• 10 Srivastava, S. K. (Ed.). (2005). Applied and community psychology. Sarup & Sons.