Race, Ethnicity and Identity
SO3250 Race, Ethnicity and Identity (10 ECTS)
Lecturer(s): Martina Byrne and Dr Camilla Devitt
Module Content/Outline:
The module provides an overview of issues surrounding race, ethnicity and racism, by providing a theoretical understanding of the issues and investigating recent developments in immigration, racism, and the politics of multiculturalism and integration, in Ireland, Europe and further afield.
Part I of the module – Race and Ethnicity: A theoretical introduction offers a broad theoretical introduction to the questions surrounding race and racism, and examines how these issues are discussed in public life. This section explores how ideas of race and identity are constructed, and how these concepts have affected the modern world. Students will gain an overview of various approaches to 'race', an understanding of how it is reported, and learn to situate race and ethnicity within social, political and economic processes. We will examine sociological theories of race and racism, learn how to analyse media representations of race and ethnicity and investigate the concepts of multiculturalism and integration. We will discuss the impact of Islamophobia and the prevalence of colonial discourse in a globalised world. Finally, we will ask if it is possible to move 'beyond race' and look at the possibilities and the problems of anti-racism.
Part II of the module, States, Migration and Ethnicity, aims to promote further reflection on the interactions between states, identity, ethnicity and race. First, building on Part I, we will examine social constructions of race and racism, before investigating theories on identity and the origins of nationalism. We will draw on readings and case studies from Western Europe, but also from the Americas, Africa and Asia.We will then move to an exploration of how immigration is affecting contemporary West European politics and society. We will cover the topics of citizenship policies, immigrant 'integration' and the role of the state, the rise of far right parties and immigrant protests and riots. The course ends with a comparative examination of immigration in the United States and Europe.
Learning Objectives:
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- critically theorise and contextualise race and ethnicity with reference to culture, state, gender, nation, and globalisation;
- critically analyse media representations of race and ethnicity;
- apply a race critical theory approach with particular reference to Ireland;
- discuss recent developments in relation to immigration,racism and citizenship;
- critically discuss theories of identity and nationalism;
- compare and contrast immigration, citizenship and integration regimes in Western Europe;
- explain and discuss the implications of migrant protests and riots in Western Europe;
- account for the development of extreme right parties and groups in Western Europe.
Lectures &Tutorials/ Contact hours:
One lecture and one tutorial per week.
Workload:
Lectures: 22 hrs; Tutorials: 22 hrs; Exams/assignments: 80 hrs; Self-study: 126 hrs. Total: 250 hours.
Recommended Texts/ Key Reading:
- Back, L. and Solomos J. (eds.) (2008) Theories of Race and Racism, London: Routledge.
- Castles, S. and Miller, M. (2009) The Age of Migration: International population movements in the modern world, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Howard, M.M. (2009) The Politics of Citizenship in Europe, New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Kundnani, Arun. 2007. The End of Tolerance: Racism in 21st Century Britain. Pluto Press.
- Lentin, R. and McVeigh, R. (2006) After Optimism? Ireland, Racism and Globalisation. Metro Eireann Publications.
Assessment
- Penalties for late submission
- The first half of this module is assessed by coursework (50%)
- The second half of this module is assessed by exam (50%).
- Without an authorised extension, the mark given will be lowered by one grade
- Examination: 1 x 3 hour examination