SOCI8020 Racism, Recognition and Identity

2016

4.5

1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 50-minute tutorial weekly

SOCI3044 has been successfully completed

The main objective of this topic is to provide students with an analysis of race and ethnic relations in contemporary multi-ethnic societies. The student must become aware of the global nature of ethnicity and the prevalence of ethnic conflict in the modern world. The main approach to the topic will be a comparative one. Concepts of race, nation and ethnicity will be analysed in their historical and political contexts. Different theoretical approaches to the ethnic and racial phenomena will be elaborated. The main theoretical approach utilised in the theoretical introduction will be the 'power conflict' perspective, emphasising the power dynamics among a society's ethnic groups. The major focus is on the nature of dominance and subordination. Race and ethnic stratification are seen as manifestations of stratification and the conflict that develops over societal rewards - power, wealth and prestige.

This topic has four aims:

1. To introduce sociological perspectives on social problems and moral issues of the contemporary era.

2. To examine the social processes and structures through which modern societies and contemporary culture is produced, reproduced and transformed.

3. To provide opportunities for the further development of skills, such as:
   • Critical analysis
   • Constructing a logical argument
   • Referencing
   • Self-directed and independent learning
   • Group-work

4. To encourage constructive and informed participation in tutorials.

On completion of this topic you will have demonstrated your ability to:

• Describe, compare and evaluate a range of sociological perspectives relating to the critique of contemporary social trends

• Understand the key social processes and structures interwoven with the personal troubles of individuals as defined in relation to present-day social trends

• Understand how sociological perspectives are applied to contemporary social issues

• Work independently

• Work in a team

• Use academic conventions in assessments