GOVT 84.42 Identity Politics from a Global Perspective
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of major theories and empirical approaches to the study of identity politics. Throughout the term we will read a combination of the classics and cutting-edge research in political science as well as sociology, economics, and social psychology to explore a range of topics with implications for politics and societies around the world. These topics include: how identity should be conceptualized and measured; why some forms of identity are activated, mobilized, and contested; how identities are represented politically; how racial and ethnic identities intersect with other salient identities; how social diversity and civil society are interrelated; what factors affect the integration of immigrants; and which varieties of democracy enable the flourishing of plural identities. Readings for these topics will span countries and contexts from around the world. You will have the opportunity to delve in more detail the topics and regions that interest you for the final research paper and present your research to the class. To that end, we will also analyze and practice the elements of conducting effective social science research.