FSS:SOCb2531 Sociology of identity - Course Information

SOCb2531 Sociology of identity

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Olga Zhmurko, M.A. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Olga Zhmurko, M.A.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

Course objectives: By the end of the semester, students will gain experience and knowledge on: - the history of the development of identity studies within sociological knowledge; - typologies of the definition of identity, the transformation of approaches; - collective identity under the prism of sociological knowledge; - concepts of visible and invisible features in identity studies; - the “trinity” of identity classification: gender, ethnicity and class, and their demographic, social and symbolic connotations; - identities in organizations.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the semester, students will be able to: - Theorize identity as a socially constructed phenomenon using a sociological perspective; - Discuss previous and contemporary trends in identity studies - Give and receive constructive criticism on the topic

Syllabus

• Course content • Introduction to the course and brief overview • Evolution and growing centrality of modern sociological discourse on identity • Sociological perspectives on collective identity • Construction(s) of identities • Research of Identities

Literature

required literature
• R. Jenkins. Identity matters. Social Identity, 3rd Edition, Routledge, 2004, pp. 1 -15
• Karen A. Cerulo. Identity Construction: New Issues, New Directions. Annu. Rev. Sociol. 1997. 23: pages 385–409
• BOURDIEU, Pierre. Language and symbolic power. Edited by John B. Thompson. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1991, ix, 302. ISBN 0674510410. info
• MEAD, George Herbert. Mind, self, and society : from the standpoint of a social behaviorist. Edited by Charles W. Morris. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1967, xxxviii, 4. ISBN 0226516687. info
• BUTLER, Judith. Gender trouble : feminism and the subversion of identity. New York: Routledge, 1999, xxxiii, 22. ISBN 0415924995. info
• Bernadette Nadya Jaworsky. ‘It's (not) who we are’: Representing the nation in US and Canadian newspaper articles about refugees entering the country. Nations and Nationalism. 2021; 27: 513–529.
• The Oxford Handbook of Identities in Organizations. 2020.

recommended literature
• Dr. Pragya Agarwal Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias. Bloombery, 2020, pp. 54 – 66.
• C.G. Jung “The love problem of a student”. Civilization in Transition. Volume 10 Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Edited by: Gerhard Adler and R. F.C. Hull. Princeton University Press, 1970., pp. 97 – 112.

not specified
• BERGER, Peter L. and Thomas LUCKMANN. The social construction of reality : a treatise in the sociology of knowledge. 1st pub. London: Penguin Press, 1967, 249 s. ISBN 0140135480. info

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used in this course involve weekly lecture meetings, reading of literature, homework exercises and formal writing assignment.The language of instructions is English.

Assessment methods

1) READING, RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND REFLECTION DISCUSSIONS (FROM WEEKLY LITERATURE OR WEEKLY PRACTICE TASKS): All of the classes are complemented by a list of literature (obligatory and sometimes supplementary). students can also receive recommendations to attend a cultural or social event or watch a movie related to the topic of the lecture. On a weekly basis, students are expected to complete one of the following tasks (there is a different task for each week in the interactive syllabus). The weekly task is graded for 4 points each. 1) an audio or video record of a brief discussion among students (in a group of up to 3 people) on the material read and studied prior the lecture. No longer than 20 minutes. The audio/video file should contain the names of the students who participated in the discussion in the title. 2) prepare a 200-word discussion paper based on the readings. The document should contain your critical view of the readings and not duplicate (retell) the content of the readings. The document should be of a discussion nature. For example, what do you agree with, what questions did the literature or topic prompt you to ask, how can the issue raised by the author be considered today, does the content of the reading correlate with what we (you) observe in our social reality? The completed tasks should be uploaded to the Homework Vault not later than 9.00 AM the day before the class. This semester – every Wednesday. 2) CLASS DISCUSSION FACILITATION AND PARTICIPATION: On a weekly basis, at least 2 students will be assigned as discussion facilitators according to the readings. Discussion facilitation is a mandatory assignment during the semester and is worth 10 points. Participation in each discussion - active discussion is encouraged with an additional 2 points for each participant. In order to record these points, each student who participated in the discussion during the class must come to the teacher after the end of the class and record their participation so that the teacher can mark it during the evaluation. 3) PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT – the conduction of the in-depth interview on the identity issue – for better practicing and understanding the ways of studying identity - 10 points. 4) FINAL EXAM: In-class. At the end of the semester, students will receive a written and oral assignment, the completion of which will prove that they have passed the course – 30 points. Exam will include writing the answers to 3 open questions on the topic of the course. The detailed instruction will be provided during the course. Grading: The final grade consists of: 1) Weekly reading, home tasks and fieldworks (up to 50%) 2) Group assignment – discussion facilitation (10%) 3) Practical assignments during the course (10%) 4) final exam (30%) based on compulsory readings and practical assignment.

Language of instruction

English

Further Comments

The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/SOCb2531