Cultural Encounters: Fundamentals and Applications of Cross-Cultural Psychology in a Cosmopolitan Context

This course introduces you to cultural diversity in psychology, equipping you with knowledge of theories, methodologies, and the broader implications of multicultural diversity in social science research. Emphasis is placed on recognizing, understanding, and respecting the complexity of sociocultural and global diversity.

A distinctive feature of this minor is its focus on real-world applications. Through collaboration with societal partners facing cross-cultural challenges, you will engage in group projects that address pressing societal issues. Workshops, which use design thinking as the primary teaching method, enable you to develop creative and impactful solutions. These efforts result in a group report and presentation, which contributing to your final grade together with the exam.

Lectures delve into the theoretical aspects of cross-cultural psychology and their relevance to societal issues, including discrimination and diversity. Workshops provide a structured, hands-on approach, encouraging you to apply theoretical insights in innovative ways.

Modules:

Week 1: Introduction to the course; What is cross-cultural psychology?
Week 2: Research and Testing in Cross-Cultural Psychology
Week 3: Cultural Differences in Worldviews; Mental-Health
Week 4: From Local to Cross-Cultural to Global Work Motivation and Innovation
Week 5: Immigrants, Refugees, and the Acculturation Process
Week 6: Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination and Racism
Week 7: Cultural Differences in Communication
Week 8: Cultural Identity Development
Week 9: Building Cross-Cultural Competence
Week 10: Exam

At the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of their own cultural background and its influence on attitudes, values, thoughts, and beliefs, shaping how they relate to others.
• Gain a foundational understanding of theories and constructs in cross-cultural psychology, including culture, race, ethnicity, acculturation, identity, prejudice, and discrimination.
• Analyse and explore various identities related to social categories such as race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, social class, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, age, and ability/disability.
• Understand basic methodological issues in the study of cross-cultural psychology, including ethical considerations and challenges.
• Critically examine the role of power, privilege, and systemic inequalities in shaping human conditions and interactions.
• Collaborate with societal partners in Rotterdam to identify and address real-world cross-cultural challenges, applying psychological insights to develop effective solutions.
• Employ design thinking methodologies to create innovative, culturally sensitive strategies and interventions for societal issues.
• Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and global diversity in personal and professional contexts.
• Develop cultural knowledge, sensitivity, and humility to enhance interpersonal communication at individual, institutional, and societal levels.
• Cultivate skills to become global citizens capable of addressing cultural and societal challenges with creativity, empathy, and evidence-based approaches.

The minor will be fully in English. Exams/reports can be written in both Dutch and English.

The minor requires active participation, collaboration, and may involve frequent travel

Students from all educational backgrounds are welcome to apply. Students who do not have a background in psychology need to be aware that they may need to put in extra work in order to master the material and understand the underlying psychological principles. However, this is accounted for in the time allotted.

This is a 15EC minor, and therefore, a full-time commitment is expected.

Teaching method(s)

• Workshops/workgroups

• Design Thinking for teaching, as well as in the development of prototypes solutions for societal partners. It is a scientific approach that emphasizes playful and creative thinking, along with building an emotional connection with the target population. This approach helps systematically develop interventions, with an emphasis on co-creation, while addressing their needs and preferences of the target population. We will provide the background of this approach through e-learnings and literature.

• Miro for online collaboration

• Lectures by the coordinators and guest lecturers

Teaching Materials

Primary Texts (Required). Multicultural Psychology (6th Ed.,) (2023) by Jeffrey Scott Mio, Lori A. Barker, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez, & John Gonzalez (subject to approval and availability in the university library)

E-books available at the EUR library for free:

The Handbook of Culture and Psychology (2nd edn) David Matsumoto (ed.), Hyisung C. Hwang (ed.)

Handbook of cross-cultural psychology / Vol. 3, Social behavior and applications / ed. by John W. Berry, Marshall H. Segall, Cigdem Kagitçibasi.

Handbook of Advances in Culture and Psychology, Volume 7 Michele J. Gelfand (ed.) et al.

• Additional Readings: There are additional readings for some topics, and these are required. Readings will be available on canvas.

Method of examination

Mixed exam (50% MC questions and 50% Open ended questions)
Advisory report to the societal partners including an application of cross-cultural theory
Presentation of the project developed for societal partners

Composition final grade

The final grade will be a weighted average of the exam, advisory report, and presentation (weights 6 + 3 + 1).
In order to pass the course, the minimum grade for the exam needs to be 5.5 or higher.