Culture Shock: Cross-Cultural Psychology

LA PY CS 310
Credit hours 3
Contact hours 45

In the past 30 years Globalization has brought with it a phenomenon which has come increasingly to engage both psychologists and anthropologists as a viable field of research and experimentation: Culture Shock (sometimes called 'culture fatigue' or 'role shock') refers to the reactions and experiences during the first few months in a foreign country of travelers, business people, diplomats and international students. This course presents 'Culture Shock' within the context of cross-cultural psychology and with a specific emphasis on the students' own experience as they live and study in a foreign country. Topics explored include: understanding the role of communication in culture, recognizing cultural variables, becoming familiar with the communication norms, taboos and rituals of other cultures, learning how to adjust to other cultures. Prerequisites: none, although a background in Introduction to Psychology or Social Psychology would be advantageous.