Aashna Aggarwal (she/hers) grew up in Mumbai, India, and did two years in boarding school in Singapore before making it over to the U.S. for undergraduate studies in theatre and psychology and graduate studies in counseling psychology. Aggarwal actually attended a liberal arts college and can’t wait to be on the other side of the classroom.
Primarily, Aggarwal’s research focuses on understanding how racialization impacts identity development and well-being for international students of color in the U.S. In addition, she conducts research related to creating nuanced understandings of South Asian and South Asian American identity. Aggarwal deeply believes in the scientist practitioner model of practicing psychology, and thus her final research focus is program evaluation (e.g. effectiveness of courses in meeting stated objectives), particularly as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Areas of Expertise
International students, critical race theory, program evaluation
Education
2023 — Doctor of Philosophy from Purdue University
2018 — Master of Science in Education from Purdue University
2016 — Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College
Courses Recently Taught
This course is an introduction to the vibrant, interdisciplinary field of gender and sexuality studies. Throughout the semester, we analyze the relationship between gender, sexuality, and other intersecting categories of identity and systems of power. Guided by a series of key terms, we approach gender as a category with shifting cultural and historical meaning. Students are asked to think critically about the role that sex, gender, and sexuality play in structuring our society, and the ways in which we might bring about a more just world. Throughout the course, we also \nattend to the transformative activist efforts of diverse groups of people working for change. This course is an invitation to think critically about our identities and experiences while cultivating an understanding of how gender works in the world. Students develop their reading and writing skills, engage in class discussions, and participate in small group work. This course satisfies the introductory requirement for the major and counts \ntoward the concentration. This course paired with any other 0.5 unit/4 semester hour GSS course, counts toward the social science diversification \nrequirement. No Prerequisites. Offered every semester.
Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. In this introductory course, we explore a variety of areas in which psychologists conduct research: the biological foundations of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, cognition, learning and memory, developmental psychology, personality and social psychology, psychological disorders, and variability in behavior related to culture. This course is open only to first-year and sophomore students. This counts toward the foundations requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.
This course provides students with an overview of the classification, causes, pathways and treatment of adult mental disorders, including anxiety, mood disorders and personality disorders. Included is discussion of critical issues and controversies in this field, such as the definition of abnormality, as well as an extended emphasis on cross-cultural issues in psychopathology. This counts toward the clinical issues and health requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every year.
This course introduces students to the helping professions in psychology. Through readings, videos, discussion, role-plays, and presentations, students are exposed to the major therapeutic orientations as well as newer schools of interventions. Case studies from the instructor's experience as a therapist will be used throughout the course to further highlight the material. This course is best suited for students who are considering applying to graduate school in helping professions in psychology. This counts toward the clinical issues and health requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 221 and 250.
For a long time, psychology has been taught with the assumption of universality and with content relevant primarily to a Western and white audience. Multicultural psychology has emerged as a way for the field to reckon with how individuals' unique social identities impact their worldviews and experiences. In this course focused on multicultural identities, students start by forming a strong understanding of different aspects of identity (e.g., race, social class, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, ability status, religion, body size, etc.) and forces that impact identity (stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, privilege, power). Following this, content focuses on understanding the psychological experiences within different social identities through readings on thoughts, feelings and behaviors of individuals belonging to specific identity groups. Readings primarily are drawn from the subfield of clinical/counseling psychology. The course celebrates recognizing and valuing our differences as a way to build solidarity in working toward social justice. As such, students are expected to consistently engage in self-reflection and application of the material to enacting social change in their daily lives. This counts toward the clinical issues and health requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 250. Generally offered every year.
