SEXUALITY AND GENDER IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY CURRICULUM:

A CASE ANALYSIS AND INTERSECTIONS

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the contributions and gaps in the educational process of Psychology students, focusing on the course "Psychology and Sexual Diversity." The research was conducted based on narrative letters written by students who attended the course at a private higher education institution in northern Espírito Santo, followed by discourse analysis inspired by Foucault, which was used to understand the students' perceptions of their experience with the course. The study is framed within the context of a growing inclusion of gender and sexuality debates in Psychology curricula, reflecting the need for a more socially centered and politically oriented education. Based on the students' narratives, the research investigates how engaging with these themes impacts their academic and personal development, emphasizing the importance of including gender and sexuality in academic curricula to enhance understanding of professional practice and interaction with diverse sexual identities and orientations. Throughout the research, it is understood that contact with courses focused on sexual and gender diversity fosters a more sensitive, empathetic, and politically engaged education, which is necessary for psychological practice. However, challenges regarding the existence of such courses remain, highlighting the need for curricular strengthening to ensure a more critical approach to these issues in the training of future psychologists.