Briefly put . . . this is my graduate project for completing a Master's in Psychology from the University of Antioch, Los Angeles, CA. The emphasis for the degree is an independent study of Community, Family, and Child Studies. It is non-clinical. The final graduate project is a study about the efforts and actions of the community activist organization Union de Vecinos.
The web version for the project begins with the “Master’s Project Introduction”, a short description of who Union de Vecinos is as well as how and why they serve specific communities. This is followed by an academic “Review of the Literature” which consists of research and writings by a number of others that relate to approaches used by Union de Vecinos. The idea here is to show philosophical, theoretical, and pragmatic influences. A major component of the project is the “Video Documentation” consisting of three video pieces I shot that exemplify and help to explain visually the work of Union de Vecinos. Each video has a separate written description intended to explain the approaches and processes involved in the video documentation that relate to Community Psychology and more. Finally I include the completed written version of the project that was submitted to the school and my advisors for final approval. It is the same as the separate portions found in this website. I am extremely grateful to a number of individuals and groups who helped me through this project and process. They include Leonardo Vilchis, the Executive Director of Union de Vecinos; my graduate project advisor, Sylvie Taylor (PhD. Professor. MA in Psychology. Director of the Applied Community Psychology Specialization at Antioch University); my independent studies advisor at Antioch, Gregor V. Sarkisian, PhD; the artist activist collective Ultra-red (http://www.ultrared.org/), who unknowingly influenced my trajectory down this path without knowing it; staff and personal at Union de Vecinos; my Spanish translator for video, Kenia Alcocer; community members of the City of Maywood, CA.; and my wife and video editor, Charlene Rule, who supported me beyond the beyond. Shannon Noble |