Florida International University

When we study the psychology of women, we explore a perspective that is frequently excluded from standard psychology courses. Thus, studying women's psychology will lead us to discover and discuss bias in "standard" psychological research and theory, as well as facilitate meaningful consideration of issues that have relevance for you as an individual. In this course, we will examine psychological issues affecting diverse women in a variety of contexts including health, work, family, sexuality and reproduction, and close relationships. Though I will emphasize the scientific and theoretical perspectives, and I will also attempt to show the relevance of the topics covered to "real life" issues (such as self-esteem, parenting, relationships, and personal development).  It is hoped that you will leave this class not simply with a list of the "whats" and "whens" of women's psychology, but increased ability to critique gender norms in your life and culture.

"We had been working on Psychology of Women over 6 semesters, earning praise from both students and other instructors. However, when we decided to apply for the Black Board Exemplary award, we were able to see the ways in which we could fine tune the course content and learning outcomes in ways that really benefit students. By working to meet the award criteria we identified gaps in our own presentation and enhance the teaching tools we were already using. The impact of these changes were immediate; students' positive response rates went even higher and I noticed a significant decrease in the number of questions students had about the course and learning resources; they were better able to manage their independent learning with the addition of clear learning outcomes."