This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

21A.226 Ethnic and National Identity

As taught in: Spring 2005

A Mexican woman selling her wares at a local market.

Market day people in Mexico. (Image courtesy of stock.xchng, by Tim Qulick.)

Level:

Undergraduate

Instructors:

Prof. Jean Jackson

Course Features

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the cross-cultural study of ethnic and national identity. We examine the concept of social identity, consider how gender, religious and racial identity components interact with ethnic and national ones. We explore the history of nationalism, including the emergence of the idea of the nation-state, and discuss the effects of globalization, migration, and transnational institutions. We also look at identity politics and ethnic conflict.


*Some translations represent previous versions of courses.