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PSYC 250

I. Course Title: Psychology of Diversity

II. Course Number: PSYC 250

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits 

IV. Prerequisites: PSYC 121

V. Course Description: 

This course provides an overview of the psychology of diverse social and cultural groups in a multicultural context. This course is designed to enhance your diversity and multicultural awareness, knowledge, and communication skills.

Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. This course may be used to meet requirements for the minor in Women’s Studies.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

Major topics to be covered in a typical semester will include:

  • Introduction to multiculturalism and diversity
  • Cultural differences in worldviews and communication
  • Stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, racism, sexism, and other forms of systemic oppression.
  • Cultural identity development and acculturation process
  • Diversity and health
  • Diversity and mental health
  • Building diversity and multicultural competence and interventions for reducing prejudice

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

A number of instructional strategies will be employed to enhance student engagement, and may include any or all of the following general strategies.

  • Lecture
  • Online content, activities, and assignments
  • Individual and group presentations 
  • Individual and collaborative research activities
  • Community-based projects
  • Video instruction
  • Instructor-led class discussions
  • Small-group discussions
  • Informal writing activities
  • Written and critical thinking assignments
  • Group activities
  • Class Demonstrations.
  • Case studies
  • Guest speakers
  • Journals or class blogs 

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe and discuss the diverse worldviews of various social and cultural groups.
  • Discuss the history of various social and cultural groups, and describe how they have influenced, and been influenced by, the society in which they are embedded.
  • Discuss the role of cultural background, attitude, values, beliefs, assumptions, and biases in perception of people from different social and cultural backgrounds.
  • Describe and explain the origins and interrelations of stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and various form of systematic oppression (racism, sexism, and others).
  • Create culturally appropriate communications for diverse social and cultural groups.
  • Describe and discuss factors that affect psychological development, mental health, and power inequity within diverse groups.
  • Describe and discuss the diverse worldviews of various social and cultural groups.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:

  • Examinations (Objective and essay questions)
  • In-class or out-of-class quizzes
  • Student presentations
  • In-class discussion and participation
  • Written assignments/projects
  • Evaluation of research
  • In-class application assignments
  • Online assignments
  • Group participation
  • Class attendance

 

Other Course Information: None

 

Review and Approval

March 01, 2021