PY3CUP: Cultural Psychology

Module code: PY3CUP

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Marat Zagidullin, email: m.zagidullin@reading.edu.my

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PY2RMP (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will enable students to acquire knowledge of cultural processes, specifically how culture influences our thinking, feelings, and behaviour and the other way around. 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 constructively addressing intercultural differences today. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse generalisability of current psychological theories and empirical research
2. Examine reciprocal relationship between cultural factors and psychological processes
3. Identify own cultural beliefs and values that play a role in one’s daily decisions, attitudes, and behaviour
4. Gain practical insights into constructively addressing intercultural differences

Module content

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 an urgent need to re-evaluate these assumptions. After examining how basic psychological processes may operate differently in different cultures, we will look at cross-cultural differences in socialization, gender, expressions of emotion, health and well-being, language use and communication norms, group behaviour, as well as variations in such constructs as intelligence, self, personality, morality, and ab/normal development. In addition, we will look at methodological toolbox of cross-cultural research, and explore the reciprocal relationship between psychology and culture. Finally we will explore practical issues underlying cross-cultural miscommunication and conflict, and discuss the ways to address these issues constructively in daily life.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module comprises 10 2-hour seminars and 10 1-hour tutorials. 

The course uses a combination of short lectures, discussions, and debates. It will also rely on group exercises, 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, a reflective essay, a field interview and a report. Students are expected to prepare for each session by reading set papers each week for a group discussion. 

In addition to the hours listed below, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA)

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will have the opportunity to discuss their written report plan and interview protocol with the module convenor.  

Reassessment

Additional costs