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Overview

Exploration into how culture is entangled within psychological phenomena, with a particular focus on social psychology and Aotearoa New Zealand cultural content.

The human mind can never be truly separate from the culture in which it inhabits.

PSYC 443 is a seminar-based paper designed to explore the importance of culture on the human mind, with a particular focus on kaupapa Māori psychological research and the Aotearoa New Zealand context more broadly.

In this class students will gain a deep understanding of the history of modern psychology, and they will be challenged to assess many modern conceptions of psychology through a Te Ao Māori lens. Using the framework of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, biculturalism will be discussed and invoked throughout this course.

About this paper

Paper title Te Waenganui: Intersecting Culture and the Mind
Subject Psychology
EFTS 0.0833
Points 10 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $813.42
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Recommended Preparation
PSYC 329
Notes
May not be credited with PSYC 432 passed in 2022, 2023 or 2024
Eligibility

Entry into Psychology 400-level normally requires a major in Psychology, a B+ average or higher in Psychology 300-level papers, and a pass in PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods. We highly recommend that students have completed PSYC 310. Students from other universities must show evidence of an equivalent level of competence.

Contact
Dr Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle
Teaching staff
Dr Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle
Paper Structure

There is one, three-hour class per week.

Approximately half of each class involves a lecture on the topic for that week. The remaining half involves group discussions and practical class activities that implement the core skills and principles discussed throughout the course.

Example topics (note: The exact topics will change from year to year):

  1. Kaupapa Māori research in psychology
  2. History of psychology
  3. Cultural psychology
  4. Māori identity
  5. Acculturation
  6. Education and Culture
  7. The Culture of Business
  8. The Culture of Sport
Teaching Arrangements

This is a one-semester paper consisting of lectures and class discussions.

Textbooks

Required readings: Articles will be set on a weekly basis.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspectives, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical Thinking, Cultural understanding, Research, Team-work
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

This paper will equip students with a breadth and depth of knowledge regarding the social and cognitive impact of culture on psychological processes. Specifically, on completion of this course students will:

  1. Have skills to critically assess the dominant positions of Euro-focused and ‘universal’ psychology.
  2. Recognise and effectively apply cultural psychology theory to and within the Aotearoa New Zealand context.
  3. Have skills in which to effectively present cultural psychology theories and ideas across several mediums (e.g. oral presentations, written essays).
Assessment details
  • Individual Presentation 15%
  • Whakapapa literature review 30%
  • Weekly reading summaries 30%
  • Course Involvement 5%
  • Examination 20%

Overview

Exploration into how culture is entangled within psychological phenomena, with a particular focus on social psychology and Aotearoa New Zealand cultural content.

The human mind can never truly be separate from the culture in which it inhabits.

PSYC 443 is a seminar-based paper designed to explore the importance of culture on the human mind, with a particular focus on kaupapa Māori psychological research and the Aotearoa New Zealand context more broadly.

In this class students will gain a deep understanding of the history of modern psychology, and they will be challenged to assess many modern conceptions of psychology through a Te Ao Māori lens. Using the framework of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, biculturalism will be discussed and invoked throughout this course.

About this paper

Paper title Te Waenganui: Intersecting Culture and the Mind
Subject Psychology
EFTS 0.0833
Points 10 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Recommended Preparation
PSYC 329
Notes
May not be credited with PSYC 432 passed in 2022, 2023 or 2024
Eligibility

Entry into Psychology 400-level normally requires a major in Psychology, a B+ average or higher in Psychology 300-level papers, and a pass in PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods. We highly recommend that students have completed PSYC 310. Students from other universities must show evidence of an equivalent level of competence.

Contact
Dr Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle
Teaching staff
Dr Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle
Paper Structure

There is one 3-hour class per week.

Approximately half of each class involves a lecture on the topic for that week. The remaining half involves group discussions and practical class activities that implement the core skills and principles discussed throughout the course.

Example topics (note: The exact topics will change from year to year):

  1. Kaupapa Māori research in psychology
  2. History of psychology
  3. Cultural psychology
  4. Māori identity
  5. Acculturation
  6. Education and Culture
  7. The Culture of Business
  8. The Culture of Sport
Teaching Arrangements

This is a one-semester paper consisting of lectures and class discussions.

Textbooks

Required readings: articles will be set on a weekly basis.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspectives, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical Thinking, Cultural understanding, Research, Team-work
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

This paper will equip students with a critical depth of knowledge regarding the impact of culture on psychological and systemic processes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

On completion of this course students will:

  • Have the skills to identify and critically assess dominant cultural norms in psychology.
  • Have the ability to meaningfully apply cultural psychology concepts within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Have the ability to effectively communicate and disseminate cultural psychology knowledge across different mediums (e.g., oral presentations, written essays).
Assessment details
  • Individual presentation: 15%
  • Whakapapa literature review: 30%
  • Weekly reading summaries: 30%
  • Course involvement: 5%
  • Examination: 20%
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