PS 492

Applied Community Research

In this experiential course, students develop knowledge, practical skills, and engage in critical reflection regarding the principles, concepts, methods, and challenges involved in community-based participatory research for the promotion of health, wellbeing, and social justice. This course requires a field placement and completion of a capstone project with the Centre for Community Research, Learning and Action (CCRLA), in partnership with a community agency. Students meet regularly as a group with the instructor, and individually with a placement supervisor/faculty advisor. Students wishing to complete this fieldwork course must apply to the department chair for PS492 by April 1. Decisions about admission to this course will be based on a consideration of grades, appropriate preparation, an interview and the availability of fieldwork supervisors/faculty advisors. Decisions will be made by June 1 of that year. Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 3 or Year 4 in any discipline. A 200-level course in research methods (e.g., PS295, PS382, CS235, GG258, GS202, HE201, PO217, SY280, SY281) and PS282 or permission of the department Registration Notes: Students meet in-class 3 hours per week during the month of September. After this time students work on their placement projects where student research teams spend at least 6 hours per week on placement-related activities.