Ashna Jassi
PhD Candidate, Culture and Psychology
COURSE PLAN
Culture and Psychology: Theory and Research
Course Description: Students will critically examine different theoretical perspectives, and underlying philosophies, that are utilized to undertake research in culture and psychology. They will also examine the methods that are commonly associated with each theoretical framework. Students will develop independent research-planning skills by preparing a research proposal that suits their individual interests. The purpose of the course is for students to gain a strong grounding in how to conduct and articulate culture and psychology research, which may be utilized in future graduate studies and/or careers.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, students will be able to critically examine theories of culture and psychology research to formulate a research proposal. They will also build an understanding of the research methods that are typically associated with each theoretical framework. Finally, students will be able to apply this knowledge by creating an independent research proposal.
Constructive Alignment Table:
Assessment Weights
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Theoretical Perspective Mind-map (20%)
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Theory & Methods Presentation (30%)
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Peer Feedback on Research Proposal Outline (10%)
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Research Proposal (40%)
Research Proposal Assignment
Assignment Weight: 40%
Assignment Description: Imagine that you are a Psychology Professor, and you have been asked to conduct research an issue within a particular cultural group. This assignment is an opportunity for you to design a culture and psychology research proposal; however, this proposal will be suiting your individual research interests. The purpose of this assignment is to understand and articulate the theoretical perspective(s) and method(s) you would choose to answer your individual research question. You will be evaluated on these choices, and also your justifications on why these theories and methods are the best possible options to answer your particular research question. In your future, such written proposals may be necessary for undertaking graduate level research, pursuing research funding applications, and/or working in a research-focused career.
Assignment Learning Outcomes: By the end of this assignment, students will be able to:
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Apply theoretical and methodological culture and psychology research knowledge to a research question of your own, by writing a clear and articulate research proposal
Assignment Assessment: The Research Proposal assignment would be a summative assignment, worth 40% of the students’ final grade. I would assess this assignment using an analytic rubric, where students would be assessed on the strength of their justifications of theoretical decisions, the strength of justifications for methodological decisions, and on the formatting of the paper (including grammar, spelling, and APA formatting).
This assignment was given the most weight within this course, as it would require students to demonstrate their ability to apply the course content comprehensively, in a research proposal. I have aimed to scaffold students towards this final assignment, with smaller assignments. The first scaffolding assignment is a theoretical perspective mind-map (worth 20% of their final grade), where students would present their notes or a visual map of key theoretical perspectives and underlying philosophies for conducting culture and psychology research. This assignment would provide me with a sense of where students are at with the course material on key theories. Following this, students would engage in group presentations on the methods that are typically associated with one theoretical perspective (worth 30% of their final grade). This will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge on methods. The group presentations will offer a more interactive, and peer-focused environment, for students to learn from each other as well. Lastly, students will provide and receive peer feedback on each other’s research proposal outlines (worth 10% of their final grade). Students will be assessed on the quality of the feedback they provide to one other student. It is aimed that these three scaffolding assignments will prepare students to succeed in this final Research Proposal assignment.
