676 Global and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Health and Dysfunction

Prerequisites 641, 671. This course focuses on how culture affects the definition, prevalence, recognition and societal response to health and illness. The course examines the major environmental and systemic threats to psychological well-being and explores contextual views of mental illness that transcend Western views of psychopathology. Research on how a range of physical and psychological conditions are viewed cross-culturally, and on how culture impacts utilization of services, is introduced. Idioms of distress, ritual, and symbolic healing practices are also addressed. Additionally, the unique mental health needs of immigrants and refugees are covered. Finally, the impact of globalization and other cross-cultural, social, economic and political trends on human welfare are also covered, as are novel applications for psychology across the globe. (3 credits)