Teaching

Psychology of Globalization (Psych 401– Undergraduate)

Primary Instructor, University of Michigan

Course Description: This course will provide an advanced introduction to the psychology of globalization, giving special attention to understanding the impacts of globalization on the individual and the broader social context.  The focus of this course will primarily be grounded in literature from Psychology, although we will also incorporate readings and material from other disciplines (such as Sociology and Anthropology) in order to gain a more complete understanding of globalization. This course will be divided into four sections. In the first section we will work to define globalization, as well as understanding some of the factors that have influenced the onset of globalization.  In the second section we will discuss values and constructs that vary across countries and may impact the effects of globalization on the country (and as a result, how this influences individuals residing in those different countries). The third section will be centered around understanding the impacts of globalization on the individual. We will discuss how globalization relates to acculturation, bicultural identity, and gender. Finally, in the last section, we will discuss how globalization influences intergroup and intragroup processes, such as conflict, tolerance, prejudice, and cooperation, as well as applications for organizations and education.  A common theme across the four sections will be to break down and understand both positive and negative consequences of globalization.

Negotiations ( Psych 487 – Undergraduate)

Graduate Student Instructor with Dr. Stephen Garcia, University of Michigan

Course Description: Merging theory and practice, this course aims to provide students with the theoretical perspective and practical skills they need to become effective negotiators. By the end of the term, students will have learned the fundamentals of distributive and integrative bargaining as well as an array of social influence tactics in order to succeed as a negotiator.

Introduction to Psychology (111 – Undergraduate)

Graduate Student Instructor with Dr. Carla Grayson, University of Michigan

 Course Description: Designed to introduce students to the major topics studied by psychologists including sensation, perception, learning, motivation, physiological and cultural bases of behavior, development, personality, and social psychology.

Cultural Psychology (487 – Undergraduate)

Lead Graduate Student Instructor with Dr. Shinobu Kitayama, University of Michigan

Course Description:  This course reviews the field of cultural psychology. It is centered on several overarching questions such as:

  • How will culture influence the human mind?
  • Is culture a superficial overlay on the basic, universal computational machine of the mind? Alternatively, is culture a crucial constitutive element of the mind? If so, what are specific mechanisms underlying this constitution process?
  • What theoretical framework do we need to make a visible progress on these questions?

Moreover, associated with these questions is a more general quest for better ways of talking about mind and body, culture and biology, and nurture and nature.

The course will start with a discussion of a general theoretical framework. We will then discuss several specific issues that are pertinent to the understanding of how culture and the mind might influence one another. These issues include self, biculturalism, emotion and emotion regulation, language and cognition, culture and social perception, cognitive dissonance, and cultural transmission and cultural evolution.

Introduction to Organizational Psychology

Graduate Student Instructor with Dr. Fiona Lee, University of Michigan

Course Description: 

Regardless of what we do — doctors, scientists, students, community organizers, religious leaders, business executives, athletes, teachers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, parents, etc., —we all work and live in organizations. We depend on others to accomplish our goals, and have to manage our own and others’ behaviors in order to be successful. In this class, we draw from psychological research to examine how individuals can become more effective members of organizations, and how individuals can create better organizations.

Topics we will cover include:

  • How to rally other people to support our goals?
  • How to design effective work teams?
  • How to avoid common pitfalls when working in a different culture?
  • How to communicate our ideas effectively?
  • Who has power in organizations and how to get it?
  • How to become an effective leader in organizations?

Students will learn to analyze common organizational problems that people encounter in their everyday work and social lives, and use psychological theories to understand and remedy them.