The goal of this course is to cover the current theories, concepts and advances in cultural psychology.

This course will examine the theoretical and scientific foundation of cultural psychology by providing the scientific foundation of modern psychology articulated by Wilhelm Wundt, the father of modern psychology. It will outline the development of cultural psychology by reviewing the physical, biological and cultural sciences traditions.

The course will also examine the influence of ecology and cultural adaptation of subsistent economies (hunting and gathering societies and agricultural societies), cultural change and transformation (renaissance, industrialization and modernization).

This course will be provide the definition of culture and cultural differences. It will examine the influences of religion and philosophy from Western and Eastern perspectives.

This course will examine substantive areas of cultural psychology: 1) the religious and philosophical influences and indigenous Korean concepts (jung, chemyon, han), 2) substantive areas in psychology (parent-child relationship, conception of self, child development and social behavior, and 3) application of cultural psychology in the areas of educational achievement, stress, health and quality of life, organizational behavior, leadership, and economic development and political behavior, human rights, democracy, and social capital.

The course will emphasize the importance of understanding human creativity and innovations that have transformed our lives and our understanding of ourselves and our culture.