Psychology in a Multicultural Society (BPS250)


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

BPS250

Version

2

Credits (ECTS)

15

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course introduces community psychology and cultural psychology, addressing the importance of understanding contextual differences to promote diversity and inclusion in mental health and well-being. The course addresses user involvement in a multicultural society, as well as the adaptation of programs to individual needs of users. The introduction to Cultural Psychology shows different perceptions of human experiences, emotions, values and activities are relational and how these are understood along the life course. The introduction to Community Psychology provides a broad understanding of mattering and belonging affect mental health and well-being. The students will achieve basic competence in health promotion, inclusion and co-creation in low-threshold services from a public health perspective.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course, students will

  • have knowledge of key theories in community psychology and cultural psychology, together with research methods and practice in subjects.
  • have knowledge health and well-being promotion in a multicultural society
  • have a critical understanding of how one's own and societal attitudes depend on an understanding of contexts and cultural differences.

Skills

On successful completion of this course, students will

  • be able to put theories and methods in cultural and community psychology in practice
  • be able to make justified choices based on practical and theoretical issues
  • analyze and critically approach relevant theory within the significance of culture and context for mental health and well-being
  • be able to analyze and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments around communication, human connection, and well-being
  • be able to collaborate with local and international students to develop a community project report

General competencies

On successful completion of this course, students will

  • have insight into relevant ethical issues around cultural and community psychology
  • analyze relevant professional and research dilemmas regarding culture and context for mental health
  • analyze and assess the significance of attitudes towards minorities in community interventions
  • apply their knowledge and skills in new areas to carry out advanced work tasks and projects
  • be able to contribute to new thinking and innovation processes within the fields of communication, human connection, and well-being
  • be able to critically apply their knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects related to the promotion of promote communication, human connection, and or well-being

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

SVEXPHIL Examen Philosophicum, BPS110 Introduction to psychology and the history of psychology, BPS120 Academic communication and ethics, BPS130 Personality psychology, social psychology and methods of psychology, BPS140 Biological psychology, developmental psychology and cognitive psychology

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Folder 1/1 Letter grades All

This course will be assessed via summative formative evaluations in the form of a portfolio consisting of: a) a 1600 +/- 10% words description of a community project; b) a 1100 +/- 10% reflexivity about the process of developing such project description; c) a final portfolio submission of 3000 +/- 10% words presenting an integrations of these two. This will be a base for consolidating the students’ independent work planning. The course responsible will provide deadlines and instructions about each of the assignments. The final assessment will be graded from A-F. Note: References are excluded from the word count. Students must use APA style, 7th edition (or newer). The contents of the assignment will be defined by the course responsible. The portfolio A and B can be revised and resubmitted once, in case of failure.

Coursework requirements

Seminars

All of the compulsory activities must be approved in order for the student to be eligible for examination. Approval/non-approval of compulsory activities is announced on Studentweb, normally no later than 7 days before the examination. Students who lack approval of one or more compulsory activities will be withdrawn from the examination.

Compulsary activities:

  • Seminars: Compulsory attendance is expected to 3 out of the 5 seminars. If less than 50% attendance is achieved, the student may be evaluated individually at the course leader's discretion. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that attendance requirements are met.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Lilla Magyari

Course coordinator:

Olga Vanessa Lehmann

Study Program Director:

Muriel Marisa Katharina Bruchhage

Method of work

The teaching consists of hybrid lectures and various activities in the seminars.

The student is expected to prepare for the lectures through literature studies. Recommended literature is stated in the lecture plan.

In the seminars, the different parts of the course are covered through various learning activities.

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Social Sciences
Exchange programme at Faculty of Social Sciences

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto