Elective course - Culture and Psychology
Course content
Psychology prides itself for being a scientific discipline that describes, interprets, predicts, and changes the human mind and behaviors - but is it for everyone? During this course, we will examine (and sometimes challenge) the common premises and approach of today’s psychological researchers, practitioners, and educators. By reading, thinking, discussing, observing, and writing, we will also reflect on our own values and assumptions, which would hopefully make us better members of this increasingly globalized world.
The content of the course encompasses:
- Core concepts and frameworks of cross-cultural psychology and culturally sensitive research
- Cross-cultural research methods (e.g., types of cross-cultural comparisons, research, and Bias and equivalence)
- Culture, cognition, and emotion
- Culture and self
- Culture and human development
- Cultural understanding and sensitivity in mental health and psychotherapy
- Multicultural competence (acculturation, challenges and strategies for intercultural interactions)
The course is open to:
- Bachelor Programmes in Psychology
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
Knowledge:
- Have research-based knowledge of concepts, theories, and methods in cross-cultural psychology
- Identify explicit and implicit definitions of "culture" in psychological studies
- Describe key mechanisms which culture can influence human behavior and mental processes
Skills:
- Recognize different levels of comparison and major approaches of including culture in psychological research
- Critically compare human behaviors and mental processes across cultures
- Develop scientific and critical thinking skills, through reviewing, evaluating, and discussing existing literature on cross-cultural psychological research, as well as debating contrasting research findings and frameworks
Competences:
- Present and discuss cross-cultural psychological knowledge and problems
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of culturally-relevant psychological studies in an area of interest
- Explain own cultural assumptions about human behaviour, emotion, and cognition
- Relate psychological concepts to one's experiences and interests to aid in the learning process
- Demonstrate sensitivity while interacting with individuals with diverse backgrounds and/or perspectives
- Plan, design, and tentatively implement research projects in the area of cross-cultural psychology
Class.
Attendance of at least 75% of the classes and active participation
in the activities, assignments, presentations etc. set by the
course coordinator.
Active participation consists of:
1) Class discussion: demonstrates accurate reading and
understanding of assigned texts;
2) Group work and small-scale workshops: active students’
contributions to the construal of classes and the transposition of
theoretical material to real-life cases;
3) Oral presentation: students will take part in a group debate,
where two groups (2-3 students approx.) will present and defend
opposite positions/frameworks related to research within
cross-cultural psychology. Some materials will be provided for
guidance, but both groups are expected to conduct a thorough
literature review of both their own and the opposite
position.
Syllabus cf. curriculum: The syllabus can be compulsory or
combined compulsory/self-selected.
Elective (BA) (7.5 ECTS): approx. 600 standard pages
Elective (MA) (7.5 ECTS credits): approx. 800 standard pages
An up-to-date syllabus list will be available in the course room on Absalon just before the start of the semester.
If the course has previously been offered, syllabus lists can be found here: Absalon
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Home assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Set assignment. Literature review (essay)
Literature Review
Students will write a literature review that focuses centrally on issues of culture (in psychological research). Students are encouraged to refer to class materials, notes, or other academic sources available online (with references).
The review must:
1) develop and examine one clearly defined research question that fall in one of the areas covered in class (e.g., emotion, cognition, human development, mental health, therapy, multicultural competences…), with
2) culture as a centerpiece, and
3) make critical use of concepts explored in the course texts and in class discussions, and self-chosen literature.
The review should include a title page, an abstract, and references. It should follow APA style and have a length (including abstract and in-text references) between 10-15 pages.
Students will receive guidance throughout the course and some feedback on their ideas and plans for implementation halfway through the course. Additional specifications are given when the course starts. - Examination prerequisites
-
Minimum attendance of 75% to sit the exam. In addition, all students must be deemed to have actively participated in class discussions. They must have presented effectively on one text and also attended and given a final presentation in the last class. Under these conditions can they move forward and take the final assessment.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Psychology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
-
Exam information:
The examination date can be found in the exam schedule here
- Re-exam
-
Reexam information:
The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule here
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 30
- English
- 30
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- APSB21758U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
Full Degree MasterMaster’s minor subject
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn And Spring
- Schedulegroup
-
B
- Studyboard
- Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Psychology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Xuan Li (7-7f7c687535737047777a8035727c356b72)
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Courseinformation of students