TOURO COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
NEW YORK SCHOOL OF APPLIED AND CAREER STUDIES
DEPARTMENT:
COURSE TITLE:
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PREREQUISITES:
CREDIT HOURS:
DEVELOPER:
LAST UPDATE:
Psychology
Psychology of Minority Women
GPS 330
GPS 110
3
Carole Beckford, Ph.D.
December 30, 2003
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The social and cultural conditions influencing minority women in the United States are
examined. Relationships and attitudes, achievements, problems and coping strategies are
among the topics.
COURSE/DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES
The student will
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Acquire a broad understanding of the life conditions of minority women
Comprehend the ways in which race, ethnicity and social class can affect women’s
lives
Recognize the impact of past experiences on contemporary situations
Understand the psychological consequences of minority status
Recognize the difference between personal experience and the scholarly literature.
Learn to question stereotypes and generalizations
Acquire the academic foundation to gain insight into his or her life
Further develop critical reasoning, reading, writing and listening skills
Learn to access relevant literature from computer databases and other sources
Learn to analyze and interpret data
Become familiar with the APA style of writing
Become familiar with APA guidelines concerning ethical behavior of
psychologists
COURSE/INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES
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To further professional and pre-professional career interests of students in the
fields of psychology, education and human services
To develop critical reading and listening skills
To develop critical reasoning skills
To foster students’ abilities to access and evaluate information objectively and
effectively
To prepare students to communicate clearly and effectively in written form
To foster a respect for and appreciation of cultural diversity
COURSE CONTENT
African American Women
Historical overview. Demographics. Psychological realities. Psychological resources and
vulnerabilities. Internalized realities. Adaptive strategies. Criminal justice system.
Mental and physical health issues. Treatment issues.
Asian and Asian American Women
Demographics. Special populations of immigrants. . Migration and acculturation issues.
Ethnic minority identity. Society and family. Stereotyping. Mental and physical health
issues. Treatment issues.
Latina Women
Demographics. Migration, immigration and acculturation issues. Ethnic and gender
issues. Relationships issues. Mental and physical health issues. Treatment issues.
West Indian Women
Immigration and acculturation issues. Relationships with African Americans. Gender
issues. Mental and physical health issues. Treatment issues.
Women of the Indian Subcontinent
Immigration. Language and culture. Domestic relationships. Gender roles and
relationships.
Women of Color with Professional Status
Ethnocultural factors. Affirmative action. Educational and professional achievements.
Racism and sexism. Tokenism. Stereotyping.
Interpersonal relationships. Balancing family, community and work. Coping strategies.
Mental health issues. Treatment issues.
Women of Color in Battering Relationships
Incidence of domestic violence. Sociocultural issues. Institutional racism. Clinical
considerations.
Lesbian Women of Color
Conditions of triple jeopardy. Cultural factors. Lesbian women of color from distinct
populations. Relationship issues. Mental health issues. Treatment issues.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE/MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS
VCR, television, opaque and overhead projectors.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students must attend class regularly, pass required examinations, prepare a paper and
participate in class discussions.
GRADING GUIDELINES
The final grade will be determined on the basis of exam scores, the grade on the paper
and class participation
METHODOLOGY
Lectures should be supplemented with discussions, group work, videos, and handouts a
library information session and other out of class activities.
COURSE TEXT
Title:
Women of color: Integrating ethnic and gender identities in psychotherapy
Editors:
Comas-Diaz, & Greene, B.
Pub. Date: 1994
Publisher
Guilford Press
ISBN# 0-89862-371-5
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Behavioral medicine and women: A comprehensive handbook
Blechman, E., & Brownell, K.
1999
Guilford
1-57230-522-3
Title:
Authors:
Pub. Date:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Coming into her own: Educational success in girls and women
Davis, S. Crawford, M., & Sebrecht, J.
1999
Wiley
0-7879-4490-4
Title:
Author:
Pub.Date:
Latina realities: Essays on healing. Migration. and sexuality
Espin, O.
1997
Publisher:
ISBN:
Westview Press
0813332346
Title:
Author:
Pub.Date:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Diversity and women’s career development: From adolescence to
adulthood
Farmer, H.
1997
Sage Publications
0761904891
Title:
Author:
Pub. Date:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Mothering against the odds: Diverse voices of contemporary mothers
Garcia, C., Surrey, J., & Weingarten, K.
1998
Guilford
1-57230-339-5
Title:
Editor:
Pub.Date:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Black women in white America: A documentary history
Lerner, G.
1992
Vintage
0679743146
Title:
Author:
Pub. Date:
Publisher:
ISBN:
The psychology of women
Matlin, M.
2004
Thomson
0-534-57964-7
Title:
Author:
Pub. Date:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Making it in the free world: Women in transition from prison
O’Brien, P.
2001
SUNY Press
0-7914-4862