Multicultural Psychology Winter 2005
Tues. & Thurs., 2:30-4:30 Room 207 EBH
Instructor: Dr. Sue Kraus E-mail:
Office: 280 EBH Office Phone: 247-7659
Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 9:30-11:30, Wednesday 9:30-11:30
Textbook:
Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2004). Cross-cultural Psychology (2nd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to introduce students to multicultural and cross-cultural perspectives in psychological theory. We will examine multicultural issues in the United States, and globally. We will explore and compare a variety of cultures, look for cultural bias in existing psychological theory, and introduce the basics of cross cultural research methods. This course is designed to build on your knowledge of psychology, and broaden your understanding of both the use and limitations of current theories by examining them in a multicultural context.
Course Procedures:
This class will be both lecture and seminar format, and you are required to come to class and to participate in the many discussions and class activities. You will be responsible for understanding the material in the text and covered in class, including student presentations, for the exams. I strongly recommend that you read the assigned chapters before you come to class so that you can participate in class discussions and exercises.
This course requires students to examine ideas that may be very different from their own. All course participants are required to examine these diverse ideas in a scholarly and respectful fashion. We will not be looking for what is “right,” but where culture comes from, and how it shapes people. Every student is responsible for making sure that discussions remain respectful and scholarly. If, at any time you feel the discussion is becoming judgmental, please make this clear in class, or approach the instructor after class. The goal is science- to increase our understanding. Disrespect, or devaluing cultural ideas or any student’s contribution to the course does not help us reach this goal. Anyone who cannot, or will not, be respectful of others will receive a failing grade for the course.
That said, science often requires that we roll up our sleeves, get dirty, and really examine ideas up close. You should not feel afraid to ask hard questions and think critically. Sincere examination, even when it leads to questions that may not be considered “politically correct,” is encouraged. Unsupported judgments of right and wrong, or disrespect of other ideas are not. Remember that we can disagree without being disrespectful or refusing to listen and learn.
Evaluation:
1) Exams (40%): There will be two exams during the semester, each worth 20% of your grade. Each exam will be a mix of essay and short answer, and multiple choice formats, and the questions will come directly from class lectures, discussions, student presentations, and the required text. No make up exams will be given. If you must miss an exam you MUST arrange to take it early.
2) Participation, homework and attendance: (15%) Participation will be determined by the contribution you make in class, and the attitude you take toward class activities. Reading the chapters ahead of time, and asking lots of questions will help your participation grade. For each absence I will subtract points from your participation grade, as you cannot participate if you do not show up. No excuses will be accepted for absences, every absence will be subtracted from your participation grade.
Homework and in-class assignments also count toward this portion of your grade. Late assignments will be docked one full letter grade for each late class period.
3) Research Article Summary (15%): Each student will choose one cross-cultural research article (from any domain within psychology), and summarize the methods and findings of the research. Primary sources from scholarly journals that are truly cross-cultural in nature are required (papers in which new data are collected and examined, and that compare across cultures- not a literature review paper).
A typed summary of the research article and a copy of the paper are due January 27th. In addition to the written summary, each student will be responsible for explaining the methods and findings of the research clearly to the class. These informal presentations will be used as an exploration of cross-cultural research methods, and to supplement the text on theoretical findings. Most students will discuss their research article on February 1st.
4) Multi-Cultural presentations (30%): Each student will choose a culture to study extensively, and present their research to the class. These presentations will allow each student to explore cross-cultural psychological issues in depth for one culture, and have a taste of the variety of ways that culture influences people. These presentations are intended to introduce new material to the class, and will be ‘fair game’ for exam material. Presentations will be scheduled based on student preference. Late presentations will be docked one full letter grade, so pick your presentation date carefully
Each student will do two formal presentations on ‘their’ culture during the semester. The first presentation will deal with “normal” psychology within the culture, and is the longer presentation. Aim for approximately 20 minutes of material. Topics for this presentation will vary significantly depending on the culture you chose. Topics to consider include: childhood and adult roles for males and females, sexual mores, coming of age ceremonies, division of labor in the home and in the workplace, inheritance rules, rules of dress and presentation, death rituals, views of violence and aggression, and how deviance is handled. Other topics that are unique or particularly important to your chosen culture may also be discussed.
The second presentation will focus specifically on mental illness. This presentation should include theories of mental illness specific to your chosen culture, how the mentally ill are perceived and treated, and any counseling issues specific to this particular population. Plan for approximately 10 minutes for this presentation
A typed outline or summary of your presentation, including at least three references in APA style, must accompany your presentation. There is a rich body of information on these topics available in journal articles, and on the web. There are journals and professional web sites devoted to multicultural issues in counseling. Interviews are also great sources of information. To respect your sources and avoid plagiarism, make sure to cite sources both orally and in your reference list, and clearly obtain consent to present any information that did not come from the public domain (interviews for example).
If you are uncomfortable with oral presentations, you may choose to hand in a paper to be graded. This does not mean that you do not have to share the information you learned, but that your grade will come from the paper instead of the presentation.
Academic Dishonesty: If you are suspected of plagiarism or cheating on an exam you will receive a zero for that portion of your grade and, at the discretion of the instructor, may be given a failing grade for the course or be asked to withdraw. In all cases, academic dishonesty will be reported to the office of academic affairs. Please note that copying the work of another student is plagiarism. Additionally, presentations must represent original work. Cite sources carefully, use a variety of sources, and synthesize and analyze the material yourself. Presenting someone else’s work as your own is a serious breach of ethics. Do not give me any reason to suspect you of academic dishonesty!
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities have equal access and equal opportunity in this course. If you require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements, you must register with Disability Services, 280 Noble Hall, 247-7459. If you qualify for services, bring your letter of accommodation to me as soon as possible.
Syllabus Policy: This syllabus is very likely to change. Student presentations will need to be integrated into the class schedule, so these dates are only my best guess as to how much time will be devoted to each topic. Once all students have chosen their presentation topics and dates, a revised syllabus will be handed out. All changes to the new schedule will be announced at least one week in advance in class. It is your responsibility to be aware of any changes in the schedule.
Tentative Class Schedule
WEEK 1: Reading & Assignments
T 1/11 Introduction
R 1/13 Personal Culture & Experience
WEEK 2: Chapter 1
T 1/18 Introduction to cross-cultural psychology
R 1/20 Introduction to cross-cultural psychology
WEEK 3: Chapter 2
T 1/25 Cross-cultural methodology
R 1/27 Cross-cultural methodology Research Summary Due
WEEK 4: Chapter 3
T 2/1 Methodology Presentations
R 2/3 Critical Thinking
WEEK 5: Chapter 10
T 2/8 Critical Thinking
R 2/10 Exam 1 EXAM 1
WEEK 6: Chapter 5
T 2/15 Intelligence
R 2/17 Culture presentations: Bradley, Amanda, Kyle, Ryan,
WEEK 7: Chapter 7
T 2/22 Motivation and Behavior
R 2/24 Culture presentations: Whitney, Jack, Aaron, Mindy
WEEK 8: Chapter 8
T 3/1 Development and Social Roles
R 3/3 Culture presentations: Robin, Tamara, Dwayne, Oscar
WEEK 9: SPRING BREAK!
WEEK 10:
T 3/15 Stereotyping & Prejudice
R 3/17 Culture presentations: Shelena, Victor, Brian, Erik, Mary
WEEK 11:
T 3/22 Stereotyping & Prejudice
R 3/24 Culture Presentations: Rebeka, Billy, Jasmyn, Kendra, Dena
WEEK 12: Chapter 9
T 3/29 Mental Illness: Robin, Kendra, Aaron, Kyle, Erik, Mindy
R 3/31 Out of class cultural experience
WEEK 13:
T 4/5 Mental Illness: Bradley, Tamara, Whitney, Victor, Oscar, Dena
R 4/7 Mental Illness: Shelena, Jasmyn, Dwayne, Jack, Mary
WEEK 14:
T 4/12 Mental Illness: Amanda, Darren, Billy , Brian, Rebeka
R 4/14 Exam 2 EXAM 2
WEEK 15: Chapter 26
T 4/19 Discussion of current events
R 4/21 Multicultural Feast
Final Exam to be Announced