Identity in the 21st century

Course focus and approach:
This course is interdisciplinary, drawing on political economy, politics, sociology, sociolinguistics, anthropology, geography, history and philosophy. It focuses on phenomena and events of the late 20th and early 21st centuries; how we inhabit and are ascribed identities that are gendered, racialized, sexualized, inflected by nationalism, mediated by age and so on; and how we are situated in terms of class in contemporary society.

Course description:
This course is about identity in the 21st century. While not ignoring the long history of identity as a concept and construct, it focuses primarily on phenomena and events of the past five decades and their impact on the way we live now: how we inhabit and are ascribed identities that are gendered, racialized, sexualized, inflected by nationalism, mediated by age and so on, and how we are situated in terms of class. It is also concerned with meta issues such as (1) how the construct identity articulates with notions of self and subjectivity and belonging; (2) the impact of technology on the construction of identity; (3) intersectionality, as the way in which gender, race, sexuality and class overlap and interrelate in the systemic oppression and exploitation experienced by people not in positions of power; and (4) the interrelationship between social structures and individual agency in the shaping of identities in fields of social activity. Finally, the course will explore ways of researching identity, examining how Positioning Theory might be embellished so as to capture the myriad issues at work in the ongoing construction of identity. The course is appropriate for students interested in identity across of range of social sciences and humanities disciplines.

Learning objectives:

• The key aims of this course are:
• to understand key concepts and issues related to identity in the 21st century;
• to gain insight into a wider range of perspectives on identity in the 21st century;
• to develop the capacity for the analysis, evaluation and synthesis of primary and secondary sources;
• to develop the capacity for sustained and independent argument; and
• to develop the capacity for critical self-reflection By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
• contribute to conversation and debate revolving around the concept of identity in the 21st century;
• link material covered during the course their day-to-day professional and personal activities;
• make use of relevant literature sources;
• critically analyse texts focusing on identity;
• demonstrate a variety of ways in which concepts, analytical frameworks and evidence illuminate an understanding of issues; and
• present arguments, both in writing and orally, to fellow students and professional colleagues.

Teaching methodology:
This course will be treated as a seminar. In advance of each session, students will be expected to have read assigned readings and prepared answers to questions provided on worksheets. Sessions will then be devoted to group discussion of responses to questions, which will then lead into a plenary sessions of varying length during which the course leader will interact with students while also, at times, lecturing. Students will also, on occasion, give presentations.

 Assessment criteria:

• Class participation: 10%
• Group project (based on fieldwork research) and presentation (final week of course): 45%
• Written paper (submitted at end of course): 45%