Developing Critical Global Consciousness in the Psychology Classroom

Abstract

In this article, the author describes an undergraduate course entitled Psychology and Globalization. The intent of this course is to facilitate students' critical global consciousness. Content analysis of narrative data from the course showed that students developed a complex and nuanced understanding of globalization that integrated cultural, economic, and psychological elements. In addition, many students grasped both the positive and negative aspects of globalization and developed an awareness of themselves as individuals situated within globalized systems of production and distribution of food and non-consumable goods. The author also presents students' suggestions for action responses to some of the negative aspects of globalization discussed in class.In this article, I describe an undergraduate Psychology and Globalization course and an assessment of how students' understanding of globalization changed across the semester. Course materials defined globalization as a global system of production and distribution of food, non-consumable goods, and communication (e.g., social networking sites). This course used a psychological lens to help students understand the implications of globalization for individual and community psychosocial well-being.