Description:

This class is intended to provide an overview of psychological theory and research on conceptions of gender, race, and ethnicity. The goal of the class is (1) to provide students the chance to read and discuss a selected sample of literature on the psychology of gender, race, and ethnicity; (2) to stimulate critical appraisal of past and present psychological theory and research on issues involving gender, race, and ethnicity; (3) to generate hypotheses and a research proposal derived from a careful reading and discussion of the existing literature; and (4) to promote a thoughtful analysis of existing gender, race, and ethnicity theories and issues, including: identity, stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination, gender differences and roles, intelligence, and group processes and their implications for the behavior and mental health of women and men of all races.

Due one day before each class period at 5:00 -- a full page (double-spaced) addressing issues you would like to discuss, commenting on the readings and issues that are especially interesting, controversial, or problematic. Students should have completed the assigned reading prior to writing their reaction papers.

In addition to these reaction papers, students will write a 12-page final paper, due in class on the last day of class. In this paper, students will write a research proposal on a topic of their choice. We will work through the components of the research paper, so that different segments will be due along the way, and each segment will receive comments from the instructor or TA. The final paper will pull together these revised segments. No late papers will be accepted.

Texts:

Photocopied packet available at University Coop.

Grading and Requirements:

Class Participation: including reaction papers 50%
Final Paper: 50%

Prerequisites:

Psychology 301 with a grade of C or better, Psychology 418 or an equivalent statistics course with a grade of C or better, upper division standing, and 6 semester hours of upper division psychology.

Updated 16 June 1998
Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts
University of Texas at Austin

Some graphics courtesy of Ann Pommerehn