Cultural awareness and sensitivity: foundational experiences in a Level 1 Psychology course

Cultural awareness and sensitivity: foundational experiences in a Level 1 Psychology course

USQ students enrolled in the Psychology undergraduate program take a Level 1 course entitled 'Cross-cultural and Indigenous Psychology' which addresses the intercultural communication competency. Its major assignment entails a guided reflection exercise, based on an interaction the student had in one of the on-line discussion forums. Students are to report their cognitions and emotions, and to link their responses to an implicit cultural theory and an actual construct covered in the course (e.g., stereotyping). Providing opportunities to engage in practical experiences are complicated by the fact that USQ attracts a significant enrolment in the external mode, whereby students complete all elements of the course on-line. The proposed project is designed to prepare students for the major assignment and highlight opportunities to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity. Two videos are used as stimulus material (i.e. an exchange between acquaintances in South Korea, and how fresh seafood can be served in a Japanese restaurant). Students are to record their immediate thoughts and corresponding emotions, and trace back to a point in their early life where these thoughts and/or emotions were first generated. Discussion points to help student better understand Korean food sharing tradition (video 1) and Japanese tradition of eating raw fish (video 2) are included which highlight differences between Collectivistic/Individualistic cultures; and behaviours/practices associated with specific social-political-geographic-economiccultural factors. Through this experiential learning and discussions, students noted an enriched and more holistic appreciation of culture and their cultural identify which help them approach other cultures with greater confidence and humility.

Abstract only published.