FSS:SOCb2531 Sociology of identity - Informace o předmětu

SOCb2531 Sociology of identity

Rozsah

1/1/0. 6 kr. Ukončení: zk.
Vyučováno kontaktně

Vyučující

Olga Zhmurko, M.A. (přednášející)

Garance

Olga Zhmurko, M.A.
Katedra sociologie – Fakulta sociálních studií
Kontaktní osoba: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra sociologie – Fakulta sociálních studií

Rozvrh

Čt 8:00–9:40 U35

Předpoklady

TYP_STUDIA(B)

Omezení zápisu do předmětu

Předmět je nabízen i studentům mimo mateřské obory.
Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 25 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 25/25, pouze zareg.: 14/25, pouze zareg. s předností (mateřské obory): 0/25

Mateřské obory/plány

předmět má 7 mateřských oborů, zobrazit

Anotace

This course offers an advanced introduction to sociological approaches to identity, situating the field at the intersection of sociology, anthropology, and related disciplines. The course centers on a key theoretical distinction between identity as a psychological phenomenon, the reflexive awareness of the self, and identity as a sociological process of identification, understood as an ongoing, relational practice rather than a fixed attribute. Beginning with a critical examination of the concept of identity itself, the course proceeds through the classical foundations of the self (Mead, Du Bois), theories of stigma and their contemporary reformulations (Goffman; Link and Phelan), sociological ambivalence (Merton and Barber; Bauman), intersectionality and researcher positionality, structural and symbolic-boundary approaches to class and ethnicity (Bourdieu; Lamont and Molnár), performative and interactionist theories of identity, identity regulation within organizations, the sociology of emotion, ethnic and racial identity formation, methodological approaches to identity research, theories of nationalism and diaspora, and contemporary identity-based polarization. Throughout the semester, students engage with a contemporary literary text as a recurring case study for sociological analysis of everyday life, consumption, and symbolic boundary-work. Assessment combines regular participation, weekly discussion-question submissions, an in-class discussion-moderation exercise, and a final written examination. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically compare theoretical traditions in identity studies, apply key concepts to both classical and contemporary empirical material, and reflect on the positionality inherent in the study of identity itself.

Výstupy z učení

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Distinguish and compare psychological and sociological understandings of identity, and critically assess "identity" as an analytical category.
• Analyze individual and collective identity through key sociological traditions, including symbolic interactionism, stigma theory, and theories of ambivalence.
• Apply intersectional and positionality frameworks to the study of identity, both theoretically and methodologically.
• Examine how symbolic boundaries produce and sustain class, ethnic, and other social distinctions.
• Analyze the formation of identity within organizations, institutions, and national/diasporic contexts.
• Apply sociological theory to contemporary identity-based polarization.
• Contribute to scholarly discussion through discussion questions, presentation, and constructive critique.

Klíčová témata

Key topics:

• The concept of identity: critical foundations and theoretical debates
• Psychological vs. sociological understandings of the self
• Stigma and its contemporary reformulations
• Sociological ambivalence: structural and epochal perspectives
• Intersectionality and researcher positionality
• Symbolic boundaries, class, and ethnicity
• Performative and interactionist approaches to identity
• Identity regulation in organizations; the sociology of emotion
• Ethnic and racial identity
• Methodological approaches to identity research
• National identity, diaspora, and belonging
• Contemporary identity-based polarization

Přístupy, postupy a metody používané ve výuce

This course combines lectures, guided readings, and structured discussion. Weekly sessions introduce key theories and debates, which students engage with through assigned readings, discussion questions submitted in advance via the Information System, and in-class debate.

Student participation is central to the course. Rather than treating discussion as a separate activity, forum questions submitted before each session form the starting material for that week's in-class discussion, connecting independent preparation directly to classroom dialogue.

On two occasions during the semester, the class is divided into two groups, each assigned a different text on the same theoretical debate; the session is then structured as a moderated debate between the groups.

Each student is randomly selected once during the semester to moderate part of the class discussion, drawing on the week's submitted forum questions rather than presenting a summary of the reading — a format designed to develop discussion leadership and analytical responsiveness rather than recall.

A contemporary literary text appears twice in the syllabus as a case study: first through guided in-class reading with directed questions, then later, once students have the theoretical vocabulary to analyze it independently.

Způsob ověření výstupů z učení a požadavky na ukončení

Learning outcomes are assessed through active participation in weekly discussions, regular submission of discussion questions via the Information System, an in-class discussion-moderation exercise (assigned once per student at random), and a final written examination completed in the computer lab without internet or course materials.

Grade components:

• Participation and Activity - 24%
• Discussion Questions (IS forum) - 24%
• Surprise Presentation/Moderation - 10%
• Final Exam (written, computer lab) - 42%
• Bonus: independent outreach visit with written reflection (up to 2 per semester) - +10%

Grading scale: A (100–90) · B (89–80) · C (79–70) · D (69–65) · E (64–60) · F (59 and below)

The use of artificial intelligence is permitted for orientation and inspiration but not for producing submitted written work, discussion questions, or in-class contributions.

Vyučovací jazyk

Angličtina

Odkaz a informace vyučujících

Olga Zhmurko is an applied sociologist with over 15 years of professional experience, currently affiliated with the Department of Sociology at Masaryk University. Her research and teaching interests center on migration, identity, memory, and education.

She holds an MA in Religious Studies from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and is currently completing her PhD at Masaryk University, where her dissertation examines the transformation of identity among Ukrainian women forced migrants in the Czech Republic.

Office: 3.59
Email: 248067@mail.muni.cz
Consultation Hours: Wednesdays 11:00–13:00, or by appointment

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