The aim of this course is to explore the concept of culture and demonstrate how psychological science is a product of the culture in which psychologists are embedded. The course situates mainstream psychology in the culture from which it has emerged and then explores some psychological implications of practicing psychology as a Eurocentric science, particularly in the context of the colonial history of Australia.

Students will also learn how to apply their knowledge of cross-cultural differences in their real lives and work, and develop an understanding of difficulties practitioners may face in working with clients whose culture is different from their own. Particular emphasis will be placed on Indigenous issues in psychology and the importance of understanding these in the context of working with Indigenous Australian people in practice and research.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Define and explain the concept of culture and how it relates to the history of mainstream psychology
2. Critically examine psychological practices, research and theory in relation to cross-cultural perspectives and theories of cross-cultural competency
3. Contextualise the discipline of psychology in Australia within the wider context of Australia's colonial history
4. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural competency and how to apply these considerations in practice, with a particular focus on working with Indigenous Australians.
5. Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills in a variety of formats (e.g., written and verbal, collaboration with peers) for audiences with diverse cultural backgrounds and/or in the context of understanding the interconnections between culture and psychology.

Research-Led Teaching

All lectures of PSYC2012 will draw on empirical evidence of research. Students will be presented with key research findings to demonstrate the role of culture in psychology and how the application of cultural consideration in psychology can help address real world issues. Students will also learn the research process and a scientist-practitioner perspective through writing an essay, engaging in group discussion and presentations. 

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

Information about the scheduling of the examination will be posted by the University at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable

Required Resources

No textbook is required. Other reading and materials will be provided on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

• ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:
• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information, please see ANU recommended student system requirements and Learning Platforms.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Individualised written feedback on the essay.
• Summarised oral feedback to tutorial class on tutorial exercises.
• Peer feedback on presentations.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Social Constructionism
2	The Social Construction of Reality
3	Culture and PsychologyQ & A Session 1	Lab 1: Cultural Responsiveness 1
4	Psychology in Australia: Acknowledging the past and looking to the future	Lab 2: Cultural Responsiveness 2
5	The Health Impact of Discrimination, Exclusion, DisadvantageQ&A Session 2	Lab 3: Essay preparation Summary Quiz
6	Indigenous Psychologies
7	Decolonising PsychologyQ&A Session 3	Essay Due
8	Cross-cultural Psychology Week 1
9	Cross-cultural Psychology Week 2	Lab 4: Culture in Learning and Studying
10	Cross-cultural Psychology Week 3	Lab 5: Working in diverse teams + Preparation for group presentation
11	Cross-cultural Psychology Week 4
12	Cross-cultural Psychology Week 5	Lab 6: Students Presentations (during lab) and Reflections due

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to teaching activities. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Essay 1800 Words	30 %	1,3,4,5
Summary Quiz	10 %	1,3,4,5
Group Presentation (week 12)	10 %	1,2,3,4,5
Reflection (week 12)	10 %	1,2,3,4,5
End of Semester Exam	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

In addition to lectures, attendance to laboratories/practicals is crucial to successful completion of PSYC2012. The School of Medicine and Psychology considers the laboratory components of all courses to be an integral part of each course. Laboratory classes may supplement and consolidate material covered in lectures and/or they may introduce entirely new material pertinent to the objectives of the course. As such, attendance at laboratory classes is considered to be an inherent requirement.

PSYC2012 includes course content that is uniquely provided in laboratory classes (and not provided elsewhere). In some cases, that content forms part of another assessable exercise that will be completed outside of the laboratory class itself (e.g., laboratory exercises, essay). All students enrolled in Psychology courses with accompanying laboratorial classes must attend laboratorial classes.

Examination(s)

Students should consult the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam. Official end of Semester results will be released on ISIS.

Assessment Task 1

Essay 1800 Words

An essay task on a key topic of the course will be provided to students to assess their written communication skills as well as comprehension of the course content and skills in navigating complex cultural issues. More information on the report and marking rubric will be provided on course Wattle.

Value: 30%

Due Date: April 18th (Week 7)

Return date: approximately 2 weeks after submission.

Assessment Task 2

Summary Quiz

In Week 5 students will complete a short summary quiz testing their understanding of the course content from Weeks 1-5. More information about this quiz will be provided on Wattle and in tutorials.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 3

Group Presentation (week 12)

This task aims to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the course content by specifically focusing on cultural considerations they need to have and how to apply this knowledge in practice. Group presentation will be scheduled in the final Lab, i.e., Lab 6. Students will work in a small group (5-6 students per group) to provide a 15-minute presentation (10-minute presentation, 5 minutes Q&A). More information on the presentation (including the allocation of the groups) and marking rubric will be provided on the course Wattle page.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 4

Reflection (week 12)

Upon the completion of their group presentations, students will be asked to submit a group evaluation form and short personal reflection. Students will be required to reflect on their experience working with their group members and relate this experience to what they have learnt throughout the course (e.g., how to apply cultural considerations in their group work). More information on this reflection task will be provided on the course Wattle page and in tutorials.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 5

End of Semester Exam

The final exam will be in the formal end of semester exam period and will be in person. Further details about the timing and administration of the exam will be provided later in the semester. The exam will comprise of at least 10 short answer questions based on lectures, tutorial material, and required lecture readings.

Value: 40%

The final exam is a hurdle requirement. A Pass mark (50% or greater) is required in the final exam before the course can be passed as a whole.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be available from the course Wattle site approximately two weeks after the due date. Late assignments usually cannot be marked within this two-week timeframe.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assessment items is not allowed.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students