PY3PAC-Psychology and Culture

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring (Double presentation)
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis PY2CN Cognition
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Marat Zagidullin

Email: m.zagidullin@reading.edu.my

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will enable students to acquire knowledge of cultural processes, specifically how culture influences our thinking, feelings, and behaviour. Students will gain experience in critical evaluation of current theories and empirical research from a cross-cultural perspective, develop awareness of their own cultural patterns, and gain practical insights into the current dynamics of intercultural conflicts of today. 

Please note: this module runs in the Autumn term at the University of Reading Malaysia, and in the Spring term at the University of Reading UK. The contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in the Autumn term, and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in the Spring term.

Aims:

This module will enable students to acquire knowledge of cultural processes, specifically how culture influences our thinking, feelings, and behaviour. Students will gain experience in critical evaluation of current theories and empirical research from a cross-cultural perspective, develop awareness of their own cultural patterns, and gain practical insights into the current dynamics of intercultural conflicts of today. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse research in terms of cultural assumptions underlying the psychological constructs under investigation.

2. Critically analyse research in terms of methodological limitations and generalizability of results.

3. Identify their own cultural beliefs and values that play a role in the ir daily decisions, attitudes, and actions. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will further develop their skills in:

1. Academic debate skills and team-work through Team-based Learning.  


2. Analysis and synthesis of complex academic literature on psychology of culture.


3. Reducing prejudicial thinking and discriminatory behaviour.

Outline content:

The module comprises seven 2 hour seminars.

The field of psychology as developed in Western Europe and the United States has long held the assumption of the universal nature of the phenomena it studies as well as universal applicability of its findings. With the increased contact between members of different cultures in the global society of today, there emerges a need to re-evaluate these assumptions. After the examination of how basic psychological processes may operate differently in different cultures, we will look at the differences in processes of socialization, gender norms, expressions of emotion, language use and communication, as well as variations in such constructs as intelligence, personality, and ab/normal development. In addition, we will look at practical issues underlying cross-cultural miscommunication and conflict, and discuss the ways to address these issues constructively in daily life. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course uses a combination of short lectures, discussions, and debates. It will also use a Team-Based Learning approach, where students will work in small groups to explore and evaluate learning materials selected by the module convenor, in addition to regular readings. Activities will include group discussions of research papers, observations, and a reflective essay. Students are expected to prepare for each session by reading set papers each week for a group discussion. 

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Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	14
Guided independent study:	86
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed through coursework (100%).

Coursework will comprise of a written assignment analysing the results of a reflective exercise in the form of a reflective report.

Formative assessment methods:

Students have the opportunity to provide the module convenor with an essay plan for comment and feedback during the course of the reflective exercise.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The module must be passed with a mark of at least 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment is by re-work and re-submission of the failed essay in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 10 February 2021