Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Identity, Theory and Methods

Level
Semester
Fall 2024
Instructor(s)
Units
4
Section
1
Number
210
CCN
24077
Times
Fridays 9am-12pm
Location
SOCS791
Course Description

Why do political cleavages often divide along lines of race and ethnicity? Does human psychology tend towards ‘groupism’? How do government institutions like schools, police and elections increase or decrease the salience of various ethnic and religious boundaries? This course investigates the relationship between identity, groups and politics in the U.S. and around the world. We will consider theories of group identity development; assess empirical approaches to the study of racial and ethnic groups in politics; evaluate intersections of salient identities and look at how politically relevant aspects of identity can be measured for conducting original research.