30207
Graduate Course
SoSe 15: Collective Identity: From Cognition to Culture
Christian von Scheve
Information for students
Exam: Term paper (3.000 words) or three essays (à 1.000 words)
Comments
Collective identity is a concept frequently invoked in sociological and social science research, in particular when dealing with nation related issues such as identification with a nation or social integration and cohesion. Upon closer examination, however, collective identity still remains a theoretically rather opaque concept and operationalization in empirical studies is a matter of debate. This seminar aims at developing an understanding of the basic building blocks of collective identity at the individual level and of how they relate to cultural (macro) processes. The seminar is divided into two parts: First, students will get acquainted with different theories and concepts of collective identity and learn about the cognitive and affective processes underlying identity formation. We will discuss the conditions under which collective identities develop and the ways in which they impact social action. Second, these aspects will be related to selected cultural domains, in particular the formation of national identity and, using various case studies, the construction of a European identity. close
Suggested reading
Owens,T.J., Robinson,D.T., and Smith-Lovin, L. (2010). Three Faces of Identity. Annual Review of Sociology, 36: 477-499.
Cerulo, K.A. (1997). Identity construction: New issues, new directions. Annual Review of Sociology, 23: 385-409.
Eisenstadt, S.N., Giesen, B. (1995). The construction of collective identity. European Journal of Sociology, 36, 72-102.
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11 Class schedule
Additional appointments
Mon, 2015-06-01 14:00 - 16:00 Mon, 2015-07-06 14:00 - 16:00Regular appointments
Thu, 2015-04-16 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-04-23 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-04-30 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-05-07 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-05-21 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-05-28 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-06-11 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-06-18 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-06-25 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-07-02 12:00 - 14:00
Thu, 2015-07-16 12:00 - 14:00