Even the Rat was White: Unpacking Racism and Injustice in the History of Psychology

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About Course

This 6-week summer course explores the racial injustices embedded in the history of psychology in the United States. Using Robert Guthrie’s Even the Rat Was White as the core text – alongside works by W.E.B. DuBois, Isabel Wilkerson, Rheeda Walker, and Joy DeGruy – students will examine the ways psychology has been shaped by historical bias, the consequences for Black mental wellness, and the lasting effects of trauma within the Black community. This course is ideal for students seeking to understand the roots of racial disparities in psychology and their impact on modern-day mental health practices.

What Will You Learn?

  • Course Objectives - By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • 1. Identify key moments in psychology’s history where racial bias was evident.
  • 2. Critically evaluate early psychological research through a racial equity lens.
  • 3. Connect historical injustices to current disparities in mental health.
  • 4. Understand the specific impact of racial trauma on Black mental wellness.
  • 5. Integrate interdisciplinary perspectives from history, sociology, and race theory.
  • 6. Discuss concepts of intergenerational trauma and sources of resilience.
  • 7. Recognize the contributions of Black psychologists.
  • 8. Engage in thoughtful, critical discussions on race and social justice.
  • 9. Apply course concepts in real-world contexts through a capstone project.
  • 10. Communicate effectively through discussion and written work.

Course Content

Week 1: Setting the Stage – The Racist Roots of Early Psychology (Week of June 2, 2025)
Topics: Introduction to the course; Overview of the history of scientific racism; Early anthropological and psychological attempts to define racial differences; Introduction to Guthrie's Even the Rat Was White.

Week 2: The Era of Scientific Racism and Intelligence Testing (Week of June 9, 2025)
Topics: The rise of intelligence testing and its racial biases; The influence of eugenics on psychological thought; Guthrie’s critique of early intelligence research.

Week 3: The Psychology of Segregation and “Difference” (Week of June 16, 2025)
Topics: Psychological justifications for segregation; Studies on racial differences in personality and behavior; Guthrie’s analysis of these biased studies.

Week 4: Challenging the Status Quo – Early Black Psychologists and Resistance (Week of June 23, 2025)
Topics: The contributions and struggles of early Black psychologists; Their critiques of mainstream psychology; The development of Black colleges and alternative frameworks.

Week 5: The Enduring Legacy – Trauma and Mental Health in the Black Community (Week of June 30, 2025)
Topics: Historical and intergenerational trauma; Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS); Systemic barriers to care and mental health disparities.

Week 6: Resilience, Healing, and Moving Forward (Week of July 7, 2025)
Topics: Resilience and coping within the Black community; Culturally relevant approaches to mental health and healing; Decolonizing psychology moving forward.

Capstone Project Work (Weeks 6 & 7)
Focus: Students will work on their Capstone Projects synthesizing course materials and reflections.

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