HPS118 - Introduction to Psychology: Cross-Cultural and Indigenous Perspectives
| Year: | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Online Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | HPS209, HPY718 |
| Study commitment: | All students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester on learning and assessment activities in this unit. This includes lectures, seminars, readings and pre-recorded lectures, assessment tasks, engaging with the discussion boards, and study time. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per fortnight |
| Scheduled learning activities - online: | 11 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per fortnight |
Content
This unit introduces the role of culture in shaping psychological experiences, behaviour, and wellbeing in diverse social contexts. Building from a strengths-based perspective, and drawing on psychosocial, cross cultural, Indigenous, and non-Western frameworks, students examine how attitudes, prejudice, discrimination, and power operate within multicultural societies and influence individual and group behaviour. The unit explores how culture intersects with factors such as ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and mental health to shape lived experience, wellbeing, and access to psychological services. A key focus is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, including the impacts of colonisation, racism, power, and privilege on mental health and service engagement. Indigenous content has been developed in collaboration with experts in Indigenous knowledges and is grounded in social, historical, and political contexts in Australia.
Students are introduced to principles of cultural safety, reflexive practice, and decolonising perspectives, and encouraged to critically examine Eurocentric assumptions within psychology whilst engaging in the ethical, critical, and responsible use of generative AI. Through case studies and applied activities, the unit develops foundational skills in culturally safe communication, collaboration, and ethical engagement with culturally diverse communities and knowledge.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.