Professor brings world of experience to classes

Tim Kasser's recent round-the-world voyage with Semester at Sea is having an impact on the psychology classes he teaches at Knox. Kasser, associate professor of psychology at Knox, and his family returned in December from the 100-day voyage. Kasser taught three courses on board the ship: abnormal psychology, theories of personality, and the psychology of dying and death.

About half the time -- 50 days -- was spend on board the ship in class. The other 50 days were dedicated to field trips in various ports. The tour began in Mexico, with stops in Hawaii, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Turkey, Croatia and Spain, returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

"I plan to introduce more about cultural differences into my courses," Kasser said. "My course on abnormal psychology will look at culture-bound syndromes. For example, bulimia is a culture-bound syndrome in our culture. But in other cultures, you'll find different culture-bound syndromes."

His experience is also changing the way he teaches, Kasser said. "I found it was better to give more, shorter tests and more, shorter writing assignments."

The ship carried 550 students. Along with the crew of about 150, a teaching staff of 50, and another 50 additional passengers, Kasser said the ship created a community similar in size to the Knox's 1300-student campus.

"One of the things I love about Knox is the sense of community, and I found the same thing on the ship," Kasser said. "We're all going through a pretty intense experience together."

For Kasser, memorable experiences included surviving chaotic traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. "I've traveled a lot and I've seen a lot of traffic, but this was beyond belief -- you just start walking and have faith that people will go around you." Kasser said he and a group of students were moved by a visit to an orphanage in Myanmar. "When you see the living conditions and the struggles they face, it's very sobering. And when you see how happy they are, its wonderful and very moving."

Kasser is internationally renowned for his research into values, materialism and well being. He is the author of the book "The High Price of Materialism," and co-editor of "Psychology and Consumer Culture: The Struggle for a Good Life in a Materialistic World." In 2003 he received the Distinguished Research Fellowship from the International Society for Quality of Life Studies for his "substantial research contributing to a better understanding of quality of life issues."