Multicultural and Diversity Resources for Psychology Majors

Consistent with the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Undergraduate Psychology Major, we provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values required to recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of social, cultural, and individual diversity. Consequently, we offer psychology courses covering topics such as ethnic/racial identity; sexual and gender identity; effects of discrimination, harassment, and group bias on health and well-being; psychosocial roots of prejudice and hate crimes; and health disparities.

In addition to these themes being infused across the psychology curriculum, beginning with the graduating class of 2020, all psychology majors are required to complete a designated Diversity course.  Diversity courses are designated advanced (3000) or capstone (4000) courses that: highlight aspects of individual and cultural diversity and the interpersonal challenges that often result from diversity and context, assist students in recognizing potential for prejudice and discrimination in oneself and others, and explore how psychology can promote civic, social, and global outcomes that benefit others.

Undergraduate Course Offerings that Meet the Diversity Requirement

  • PSYC 3530 Psychology of Sex Roles
  • PSYC 3600 Multicultural Issues (Pluralism)
  • PSYC 3610 Global Health and Psychology (Globalism)
  • PSYC 3700 Human Sexuality
  • PSYC 3720 Psychology of Women
  • PSYC 3730 Men and Masculinities (EP3)
  • PSYC 4310 Aging and Society (ICC)
  • PSYC 4820 Community Psychology (S/L)
  • PSYC 4920 Youth, Values, and Society (EP4)

Organizations And Resources

Fordham University:

American Psychological Association Divisions:

Social Psychology Network: http://www.socialpsychology.org/

The APAGS Resource Guide for LGBT Students in Psychology: http://www.apa.org/apags/resources/lgbt-guide.aspx

APAGS Resource Guide for Ethnic Minority Graduate Students: http://www.apa.org/apags/resources/ethnic-minority-guide.aspx

Recommended Readings

American Psychological Association (2000). Guidelines for psychotherapy with lesbian, gay & bisexual clients. American Psychologist, 55, 1440-1451.

American Psychological Association (2003). Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for psychologists. American Psychologist, 58, 377-402.

American Psychological Association (2007). Guidelines for psychological practice with girls and women. American Psychologist, 62, 949-979.

Adler, N.E. (2009). Health disparities through a psychological lens. American Psychologist, 64, 663-673.

Fowers, B. J., & Davidov, B. J. (2006). The virtue of multiculturalism: Personal transformation, character, and openness to the other. American Psychologist, 61, 581-594.

Krieger, N. (2003). Does racism harm health? Did child abuse exist before 1962? On explicit questions, critical science, and current controversies: An ecosocial perspective. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 194-199.

Levitt, H. M., Ovrebo, E., Anderson-Cleveland, M. B., Leone, C., Jeong, J. Y., Arm, J. R., & ... Horne, S. G. (2009). Balancing dangers: GLBT experience in a time of anti-GLBT legislation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(1), 67-81.

Mays, V. M. (2000). A social justice agenda. American Psychologist, 55, 326-327.

Nadal, K. L., Wong, Y., Issa, M., Meterko, V., Leon, J., & Wideman, M. (2011). Sexual orientation microaggressions: Processes and coping mechanisms for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 5, 21-46.

Oswalt, S. B., & Wyatt, T. J., (2011). Sexual orientation and differences in mental health, stress, and academic performance in a national sample of U.S. College students. Journal of Homosexuality, 9, 1255-1280.

Ponterotto, J., Utsey, S. O., & Pedersen, O. J. (2006). Preventing prejudice: A guide for counselors, educators, and parents. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.