HPS209 - Cross Cultural and Indigenous Psychology

Unit details

Year	2026 unit information
Enrolment modes	Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s)	1
EFTSL value	0.125
Unit chair	Trimester 1: Aseel Sahib
Prerequisite	Nil
Corequisite	Nil
Incompatible with	Nil
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment	1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per fortnight 1 x 1 hour lecture (pre-recorded) per week 1 x 2 hour online masterclass per fortnight
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment	1 x 2 hour online seminar per fortnight 1 x 1 hour lecture (pre-recorded) per week 1 x 2 hour online masterclass per fortnight
Typical study commitment	Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.
Note This unit is available to students doing any course in the university

Content

This unit provides the opportunity to learn about the importance of culture in understanding human behaviour. Specifically, the unit draws on theoretical perspectives from cross cultural and Indigenous psychology and examines the role of culture on adaptation and individual and group behaviours. The intersectionality of culture including ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and mental health is critically examined. Cultural competence skills will be developed to inform the training and practice of health professionals to address the mental health needs of diverse clients. The application of culturally intrinsic knowledge to the practice of psychology will be advanced through the presentation of case studies and practical exercises. The Indigenous content has been developed in collaboration with experts in Indigenous knowledges and will include the examination of the social, political and historical determinants relevant to the mental health of Indigenous Australians.

Learning outcomes

Each unit in your course is a building block towards Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all units develop and assess every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).

ULO	These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:	Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)
ULO1	Examine and demonstrate an understanding of psychosocial theories that underpin attitudes, prejudice, and discrimination in multicultural contexts.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management GLO8: Global citizenship
ULO2	Demonstrate an understanding of the intersectionality between culture including ethnicity, gender and sexuality on mental health and human behaviour.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management GLO8: Global citizenship
ULO3	Critically evaluate research methods used in cross cultural research.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO8: Global citizenship
ULO4	Examine and recognise issues that affect the mental health of multicultural and Indigenous communities.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO6: Self-management GLO8: Global citizenship
ULO5	Critically examine and communicate issues specific to Indigenous communities.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment description	Student output	Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit)	Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Essay	1500 words	50%	Week 6
Assessment 2: Policy Brief	1800 words	50%	Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning resource

Readings for each topic will be provided as there is no single textbook that covers all or a majority of the unit content.

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (2017). National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing, 2017-2023. link.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

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To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.

Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.

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.

Estimate your fees

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