PSY4505 – Identity, culture and critical psychology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course draws from community and critical psychology, examining the ways in which psychology addresses issues of identity, culture, and critique. Central topics will include:
- Conceptualizing culture, identity and critique
- Examining cultural and critical approaches in psychology
- Exploring possibilities for the usefulness of applying psychology to understand some of contemporary society’s most contested questions including immigration, nationality, ethnic conflicts, environmental challenges, gender and identity politics
- Critical and self-reflexive thinking towards dominating ideas of culture, identity and gender
Please note that the teaching language during the autumn of 2014 will be in Norwegian.
Learning outcome
The aim of this course is to enable students to engage critically with key issues relating to culture, identity and contemporary society. Understandings developed through the course will be based on current theory and research within psychology as well as other social sciences.
The course aims to prepare students for research within this field of psychology and to give them substantial background knowledge for working in a post-traditional multicultural society.
The course is specifically designed as preparation for the second semester of study within the “Kultur- og samfunnspsykologi” Master Program, where students will have the opportunity to engage in a multicultural youth organization, and design qualitative research investigating culturally-relevant issues.
Admission
The course is offered to students, who have been accepted into the Master’s Degree Programme in Psychology – specialization Cultural- and Societal psychology.
Students from other master’s programmes at the University of Oslo or ERASMUS students may be admitted into this course by individual application to the department. The application has to include a confirmation from your department that the course can be a part of your degree.
For international students: If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants. You also need to attach a copy of your BA degree.
Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction and tuition and sit for the examination.
Students who are admitted to study programmes or individual courses at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in StudentWeb.
Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction and tuition and sit for the examination.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
The course will not be offered if fewer than 8 students enroll.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
BA in psychology or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
Prior to taking this course, students are expected to have completed a Bachelors degree or equivalent, in psychology or a related social science.
Teaching
The teaching will be given through seminars and lectures. There will be 22 hours of lectures, and 10 hours of seminars.
Compulsory activities consist of:
2 weeks home exam
However, all students are strongly advice to attend and actively participate in all lectures and seminars.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Home exam/Essay:
Written assignment will be given as a home exam with 2 weeks deadline for submission. You will be required to write an essay of minimum 3000 words. You will submit 2 paper copies at the reception at the Department of Psychology together with the compulsory statement (“obligatorisk erklæring”). Remember to bring some form of valid identification bearing a photograph (for example, a University of Oslo student card, a bank card, passport etc.)
Language of examination
Norwegian. Students are allowed to answer the exam in English, but the tasks will be given in Norwegian only.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
There is no make up exam for this course. Students who have been sick on the exam must register for the exam next time the course is scheduled.
If one doesn`t sit for the exam one must submit proof of legitimate absence (illness, etc.), see § 5.5 in Regulations for studies and examinations at the University.
Students who have special conditions - for example, that one is chronically ill, prevented from further progression or lose the right to study at the university, may apply to have a postponed exam the same term. It is not automatically granted.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.