POSC31533

This course is about identity politics in the United States, which is a complex interdisciplinary topic that covers issues of race, gender, class, religion, age, and myriad of other identities that are core to human self-concept. As such, the course is divided into three sections. First, we will cover the central theories of identity in sociology and social psychology that have been used by political scientists to understand political phenomenon. The second section of the course will critically examine specific identities - those that have received disproportionate attention in political science literature - in light of the identity theories. The final section of the course will reflect on proposed strategies for best handling the oft-contentious nature of identity politics in a diverse democratic society.