Identity and Belonging in a Changing World

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The question of identity and difference has become one of the central questions that societies face today. Women, sexual minorities, national minorities and ethnic groups are increasingly demanding and making a case for the acceptance, recognition of and respect for who they are. From the Black lives matter (BLM) movement, which started in 2013 in the U.S, to the Me too movement which gained incredible ground from 2006, we are witnessing the powerful impact that the question of identity has on politics, society and for each of us who are seeking answers. This movement which entails bringing hidden stories of injustice and abuse to the surface, is bringing into light the challenge that our societies face today - how can we develop a new form of social justice and a new conception of what it is to be human, to belong, to accept ourselves and others, to understand and to live together with our similarities and differences. This interdisciplinary course, which draws on social psychology, political and social theory and sociology will explore what it is to live in a multicultural world where identities are in flux. What does it mean to be me? What does it mean to be different? In the first part of the course, we will study multiculturalism, diversity and gender by introducing the main debates. The objective is to explore how categories of difference - race, gender, ethnicity, nationality and sexuality are complex and interrelated. The concept of culture will be explored in depth and we will draw on sociological studies that try to help us better understand cultural differences. We will then go onto consider the question of intercultural dialogue and how it can be used as a resource to facilitate communication between different cultural groups. In the second part of the course, we will consider how gender and other categories of difference interact with modern institutions in contemporary society. Throughout the course we will analyse different ways of looking at power and political culture in modern societies with the objective of developing our ability to think critically about mechanisms for change. Students will be guided to read relevant texts from a wide diversity of literature. In each weekly two-hour conference, we will focus on a particular theme. During the conference two students will give a presentation (lasting ten minutes for each student) before the class. The main goal of the presentation is to communicate and argue persuasively one's viewpoint on a topic. Following there will be feedback on the presentation and a class discussion.