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