PS 360 - Cross Cultural Psychology

The primary aim of this course is to provide the student with an overview of both established and contemporary knowledge in various areas of psychology from a cross-cultural perspective. By acquiring this knowledge, students will be able to develop awareness of their own multicultural identity and their place as world citizens. This course covers key areas in psychology (identity, perception and cognition, emotion, personality and language), each viewed through a cultural lens. In so doing, students come to appreciate the limitations and biases derived from the ethnocentrism of Western psychology. Given that the students are in Granada as sojourners (living temporarily outside their own country), the psychological literature in this area is also explored in order to a) prepare the adaptation to the new culture and b) prepare the return to their home culture.

The course will provide students with an opportunity to assess their own multicultural identity in approaching their experience as temporary residents in a new cultural setting. They will be able to explore several applied topics in cross-cultural psychology at the local level, apply the acquired knowledge, and gain insight into current cultural issues in Granada and/or Spain.