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Marburg, Germany - Course Descriptions - National Character

Course Information

Subject: Psychology (PSY)
Number: 300 level
Language of Instruction: English

Contact Hours and Credits

Semester Session: 48 contact hours, 3 semester credits

Availability

Summary

This course will focus on both empirical and armchair studies of German national character, as well as assumptions regarding the nationalities represented in the class.

Full Description

The concept of "national character" has fallen into disrepute in social psychology. For decades now, research has focused on national (or ethnic, or racial) stereotypes, with the implication that "national character" does not exist and thus is not a useful term. Only in recent years have we seen an emergent interest in stereotype accuracy and the possibility that there may be some substance to many stereotypical beliefs. In this seminar-type class, we will study how "national character" has been treated in psychology, and we will try to find out if it makes sense to resuscitate it. Substantively, we will focus on both empirical and armchair studies of German national character, as well as assumptions regarding the nationalities represented in the class.