Information Package / Course Catalogue
PSYC 435 Cross-Cultural Psychology
MEF University
Degree Programs
Psychology
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Psychology
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
Course Code PSYC 435
Course Title in English Cross-Cultural Psychology
Course Title in Turkish Kültürlerarası Psikoloji
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Select
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: 0 Other:
Estimated Student Workload 145 hours per semester
Number of Credits 6 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge Research Methods in Psychology
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only undergraduate students; at least 3rd year students of psychology
Overall Educational Objective At the end of the course, students should become familiar with basic concepts and findings in the field of cross-cultural psychology; gain a cross-cultural perspective on psychological phenomena; gain the ability of think and evaluate research evidence critically; and gain the ability to identify relevant gaps in the domain of cross-cultural psychology and to develop new research ideas.
Course Description The main objective is to introduce the field of cross-cultural psychology and its applications including social cognition and developmental perspectives. The current research in cross-cultural psychology will be addressed including varied topics (i.e., emotions, cognition, perception, linguistics, psychopathology and developmental psychology).
Course Description in Turkish Bu dersin ana amacı, kültürlerarası psikolojinin ve uygulama alanlarını öğrencilere tanıtmaktır. Bu alandaki güncel araştırmalar hakkında fikir sahibi olmaları ve kültürlerarası psikolojinin kesiştiği farklı psikoloji alt disiplinlerinin ele alındığı çalışmalar hakkında eleştirel bir bakış açısıyla tartışmalar yürütebilecektir (dil, sosyal algı, sosyal biliş, vb.).

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) to become familiar with basic concepts and findings in the field of cross-cultural psychology
2) to gain a cross-cultural perspective on psychological phenomena;
3) to gain the ability of think and evaluate research evidence critically;
4) to identify a research gap in the domain of cross-cultural psychology and to propose a research idea that addresses this gap
5) ability to propose an empirical research design, based on the current findings in the field of cross-cultural psychology.
6) to collaborate with fellow students, and to work in a self-directed manner
7) to present and write up a proper a research proposal
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. H Exam,Presentation
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. H Exam,Participation,Presentation
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. S Exam,Participation
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. S Exam,Participation
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. N
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. N
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. N
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). S Participation
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. S Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. S Participation
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. H Exam,Presentation
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. S Participation
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H Exam,Presentation
Prepared by and Date ARZU KARAKULAK , November 2023
Course Coordinator ARZU KARAKULAK
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Assoc. Prof. Dr. ARZU KARAKULAK

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology
2) Understanding Cross Cultural Psychology / Basic Concepts of Cross Cultural Psychology
3) Methods of Cross Cultural Psychology and Critical Thinking
4) Morality and Culture: What is wrong what is right?
5) Perception and Culture: The Perception of Beauty
6) Intelligence: Differences between cultures or measures?
7) Proposal Preparation
8) Emotion and Romantic Love across Cultures
9) Socialization and Child Rearing across Cultures
10) Social Interaction and Prosocial Behavior
11) Midterm
12) Proposal presentations and proposal feedback
13) Proposal presentations and proposal feedback
14) Review / Q&A
15) Final Exam Period
16) Final Exam Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsShiraev, E.B. & Levy, D.A. (7th edition). Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications: Routledge. • There will also be a set of articles.
Teaching MethodsThis course will be taught in the flipped format. Students will be assigned to complete preparatory work prior to attending the class (e.g., watch an online introductory lecture; read an assigned paper; and complete quizzes related to these contents). During class time, deeper elaboration on the respective concepts will take place, and students will be asked to discuss the acquired knowledge. Students will be expected to prepare for these in-class discussions, and expected to actively participate in group-work and discussions during class hours. I as the instructor commit to preparing and selecting high-quality materials for each class, at an appropriate level (this course is aimed at third/fourth year psychology students).
Homework and ProjectsStudents will be asked to prepare an oral prsentation of a research proposal and to hand in a written form of this proposal. Students will form groups consisting of 2-3 students and select a topic/research question within the broad the field of Cross-Cultural Psychology. They will be asked to provide a summary of existing research related to the field they selected, identify a research gap that is yet to be explored, formulate a (testable) hypothesis and design a research that would be eligible for addressing their research question. Students will be asked to present their proposal during class-time (maximum, 15 min.), plus hand in a written APA-styled proposal of 6-10 pages.
Laboratory Worknone
Computer Use
Other ActivitiesStudents will be asked to read each week’s book chapter and (if applicable) the article prior to that week’s classroom session. Classroom discussions will be based on these readings as well as various videos. Students will also be asked to complete several pre-courses quizzes that relate to the preparatory material.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
TOTAL %
Course Administration karakulaka@mef.edu.tr

Attendance is mandatory for this course. Active participation is expected and missing the classes will negtively impact upon students' continuous assessment grade. If students missed a class, it is their responsibility to follow up on and to cover the missed content. Exam questions (for the Midterm) will draw heavily from the lectures and the class discussions. Students must provide a legitimate, acceptable and documented excuse for missing a scheduled exam. Students are expected to treat university personnel and one another respectfully at all times; this includes showing respect for class content and for others’ opinions. The commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of their diverse forms such as plagiarism, and copying during examinations is dishonest and will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 3 2 98
Presentations / Seminar 1 10 1 2 13
Project 1 10 2 12
Quiz(zes) 5 1 1 10
Midterm(s) 1 10 2 12
Total Workload 145
Total Workload/25 5.8
ECTS 6