UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Psychology 391- A01
Cross-Cultural Psychology
SSM A104 - T/Th 4:30-5:50

Course Outline

Spring 2013

Instructor:                Dr. Randal G. Tonks

Office:                        Cornett A215

Phone / E-mail:         (250) 853-3762   /  rgtonks -at- uvic.ca

Office Hours:           Tues 3:30-4:20 or by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Alina Sotskova  - asotskov -at- uvic.ca

 What is culture? How does it affect the psychology of individuals? These and other basic questions will be explored in this course on how culture and psychology intertwine. Starting with a brief overview of what is the discipline of cross-cultural psychology, we will examine its historical development in relation to anthropology, indigenous and cultural psychologies.  This course will then review dominant models of research, theory and practice of these "psychologies of culture" with a focus on the contributions of Canadian psychologists.

The bulk of the course will be dedicated to the examination of central issues of theory and research within cross-cultural psychology such as the fundamental nature of self, identity and personality across cultures and how cultural worldviews shape the very nature of who we are in our perceptions, thoughts, and emotions. Stemming from Jung's work on self and archetypes, we will examine the influence of mythologies of everyday life as they affect our beliefs, values and practices. 

The final portion of the course will address practices and other applied areas of cross-cultural psychology. Here the topics of immigration and acculturation, health psychologies, psychological disorders and therapies as well as intergroup relations, prejudice and discrimination.  To close the course we will examine ways in which music forms the basis of our psychological and cultural lives.

REQUIRED TEXT: A course pack of support readings is available at the UVIC Bookstore.

Student Evaluation*:

* Students are asked to select option A or B by January 17th in order to select at a date for presentations that will coincide with the course schedule.

Activities:

We will regularly have activities that will be done in class time or posted on moodle. This will offer students the opportunity to reflect on various aspects of the course through individual and group activities. At times students will be given the opportunity to work on the study questions and key concepts that will form the foundation for the exams. Other times students will be asked to reflect upon the theories, research, and practices that we will examine in the course as they apply to our own lives. A final in-class activity will be the examination of the role of music on our cultured lives. For this activity students are asked to submit a piece of music (i.e. youtube link) and a paragraph on how this music is culturally important to them. Here is a sample of a past class project on music.

Exams:

There will be a midterm and a final exam that will be based upon the lecture material and support readings. The exams will consist of short answer and essay style questions that will be based upon the study questions and key concepts that will be discussed in class. The emphasis will be on the lecture material, but some short answer questions will come from the readings.

 Term Paper:

Students are expected to write a term paper. The term paper will involve providing a review of some theoretical, research or practical issue that pertains to the study of culture and psychology. There are a wide variety of potential topics, and students are encouraged to choose topics that are of interest to them.

 With the goal of gaining insight into (and appreciation for) the role that culture plays in our psychological lives, students are also given the option of providing observations on culture as part of their term papers. Here, along with a brief theoretical or empirical background to their observations, students can provide descriptions of the influence of culture on their own psychological lives.

 In choosing the first option, students can write about one or another theoretical, methodological or practical issue that pertains to the study of psychology and culture. For example, it is possible to compare and contrast two major perspectives for the study of psychology and culture such as cultural,  cross-cultural, or indigenous psychologies. It is also possible to write about the history of the study of an issue or sub-field in the study of psychology and culture or a significant methodological issue such as the "emic-etic" dispute.  Alternatively, one may wish to examine a specific indigenous psychology from somewhere around the world as it pertains to central psychological issues such as Aboriginal perspectives on the healing, or Asian conceptions of self and nature.

 For most people the term paper will involve a review of a collection of empirical research studies on some topic of study in the psychology of culture (i.e. development, cognition, emotions, language, etc). Here one may examine topics such as visual perception across cultures, child-rearing practices across cultures, social relations across culture, acculturation, ethnic relations, prejudice, or some other topic of interest.

The papers are to be written between 7 and 8 pages of text, typed double space (12 point font only) in the standard APA style. If you are not familiar with this style of referencing and paper writing please take a look at the APA publication manual (6th edition) online resources. In taking a cultural perspective on psychology there are several alternatives that you may wish to pursue through any of the options outlined above.

It is also important that students make use of primary academic resources such as peer-review articles found through psycINFO or other such data bases, books and other formal publications. Some web-based sources will be accepted, however do not make use of Wikipedia and avoid blogs and other non-academic sources. It is expected that students will make use of a minimum of 5 sources for their papers.

 Good Papers:

Most people want to get good marks even if they don't expect an "A+" on their papers. It is a good idea, however, to point out a few things regarding the creation a good paper. Typically, good papers are those that take a critical perspective on the topic that they are presenting. To be critical does not mean that you simply have to be negative and try to put down some theory or perspective. Being critical involves the careful examination and explanation of issues pertaining to the creation and development of theories or ideologies of psychology. In providing a critical examination of some ideas, try to go to the original sources and consider providing your reader with an understanding or explanation of the central issue(s) of the perspective(s) that you are examining. Make use of your own thoughts and concerns when choosing a topic, and also don't be afraid to rely on your own reasoning and judgment. It is a good idea to talk to classmates and your teachers about any ideas you might have as you think them through and get better at expressing such thoughts. Additionally, the papers that generally receive good marks are those that are well thought out, well organized, and clearly presented. If you have the greatest ideas in the world they are not worth much if you cannot express them clearly. Take the time to think about the topic you choose and start thinking about it soon.

 Topic Outline:

 To facilitate clear communication between the instructor and the students each student is expected to hand in a one page outline of their paper topic by week 5 of the semester. The papers will be due at the end of the 12th week of classes and it is expected that you will staple your outline to the back of your term paper.

Presentation: (Option B Only)

For those students selecting option B there will be a brief (10 minute) presentation of a review of research on a topic of the student's choice. The content will involve review of one or two research studies on a topic of culture and psychology, for most students this will involve a portion of the topic selected for their term paper. The presentations will commence with the topic of identity and self.

COURSE SYLLABUS:

*Note: If you miss an exam due to illness:

            1. Contact Dr. Tonks by email as soon as possible.

2. Submit medical documentation to Dr. Tonks when you return.  You do not need to submit the Request for Academic Concession form if you miss an exam. (That form only applies to final exams written in the final exam period).

3. Upon receipt of acceptable documentation, you will be informed when the make-up exam will be held. You must write the make-up exam at the designated time.  An exam may only be rescheduled for illness, family affliction, or a sports event sanctioned by the University of Victoria. If you miss an exam due to holiday or work commitments you will receive a mark of ‘0’.

• Make-up examinations are to be scheduled with the make up exam coordinator through  Dr. Tonks. 
& The make-up exams will typically be held on Friday afternoons at 2:30 once properly scheduled.

• Students who miss an exam and do not contact Dr. Tonks within 7 days of the exam date or who do not submit medical documentation within 10 days will be deemed to have not completed a course requirement, and will receive an N grade (failure due to not completing a course requirement) for the course.

Students with disabilities who require special arrangements for exams should discuss such arrangements with Dr. Tonks.
 A referral from the Student Services office may be required in order to receive accommodations.