Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to critically investigate sociological and anthropological approaches to, and uses of, identity and of subjectivity, drawing on a wide range of theoretical and empirical material. The module will introduce students to recent anthropological and sociological research on identity and experience, and to investigate social, cultural and political aspects of identity and of subjectivity. The module further aims to explore, anthropologically and sociologically, the processual and relational aspects of identity and of subjectivity, as well as to consider the relationship and the interaction between the individual and the social in regards to identity and to the self. The module will give students the opportunity to consider recent debates in this area, and to hone their analytic and writing skills. Areas covered may include:

Outline Of Syllabus

Areas covered may include:
Identity as a question Memory and narrative
Habitus and the socialized subjectivity Performing identity
Unconscious selfhood: psychoanalytic perspectives Self and other: issues of value
Nation, nationalism, class and belonging Assessment preparation

Note - these will change depending upon teaching team.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module, students will:

Have a knowledge and understanding of recent research on identity.

Be able to situate the concepts of 'being', 'belonging' and 'identity' within broader social, cultural and political frameworks.

Be able to analyse the processual and relational aspects of identity and subjectivity.

Be able to understand and analyse identity, subjectivity and personhood from sociological and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Intended Skill Outcomes

This module will develop skills of critical thinking through seminars and writing. It will develop students' capacities to: read, critically evaluate and synthesise material from different sources; express independent and critical thinking; devise coherent, substantiated arguments; critically assess, present and summarise social science data; explore the insights and limitations of social science perspectives. It will also refine students' skills of verbal and written communication and debate.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The PiP workshop slot will enable inquiry-led engagement. Sessions will establish the foundations of the topic through discussion and group work before engaging in the process of question setting, data collection, analysis and argumentation through synchronous in-session group work, a-synchronous structured activities and independent learning and research. Canvas will be used as a platform for a-synchronous module engagement, pre-recorded content and discussion.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The module will be assessed through a research essay; students will answer a question (they have formulated) using this data and the literature they have engaged with.

Students will have the opportunity to answer a research question, read in-depth and marshal primary data and secondary sources to advance an argument.

General Notes

N/A