Identity in question
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| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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No current presentation - see Future availability |
| This course is expected to run until November 2009. | |||
Summary
Investigating recent debates in sociology, cultural theory and psychoanalysis, this course explores the nature of social identity, ‘socialisation’, subjectivity and personhood. It will help you to assess the value and relevance of different theoretical frameworks for understanding identity and the subject, which, this course insists, cannot be seen as compatible – although they are often made to appear so. You will apply the main concepts to real situations, using case studies, and cross-compare a range of psychoanalytic theories with Foucauldian approaches and recent sociologies of the self.
Course content
The course traces the similarities and the important divergences between post-structuralism and the psychoanalytic and linguistic accounts of subjectivity informed by it, through the frameworks of Foucauldian sociology, recent sociologies of the self and classic psychoanalytic accounts. Case studies are presented so that you can apply some of the main concepts to real situations and test the strengths and limitations of the theoretical perspectives drawn upon in the course. Our examples and case studies, for the most part, are not drawn from paradigmatic categories of contemporary cultural studies (i.e. media representations), as the course assumes that questions about ‘identity’ are far broader and more problematic. The course takes a guided study approach; you will be reading material from a variety of leading authors in the field, with the aid of a specially prepared study guide.
The ‘subject’ and its ‘construction’ have become the object of considerable, continuing theorisation in recent years, in work inspired by and associated with the analyses of a disparate group of French authors – Althusser, Barthes, Derrida, Foucault and Lacan are the most obvious. Classic and influential readings from these theorists and from more recent theorists in cultural theory following in their wake form the work of Block 1, The subject of language: the theorisation of identity in cultural studies.
The next two parts present two different kinds of challenge to the ‘social constructionist’ perspective associated with the readings of Block 1. Blocks 2 and 3 introduce small case-study discussions where appropriate – for example, of law, death and bereavement, and hierarchical structures in organisations – so that you can see where a particular theoretical stance logically leads when we observe a concrete situation, social development or institutional context. Broadly speaking, Block 2, Psychoanalysis and psycho-social relations and Block 3, Identity, sociology, history take issue with the concept of ‘the subject’ of ‘language’ that dominate the readings in Block 1.
One of the central questions for you to consider throughout is the relative explanatory power of sociological, social-constructionist and psychoanalytic approaches to identity and subjectivity. Psychoanalytically informed observers tend to operate with a relatively ‘thick’ concept of human material, as discussed in Block 2; historical genealogical accounts, on the other hand, tend to operate with a relatively ‘thin’, minimal or weak conception of human material, as discussed in Block 3.
Vocational relevance
The course develops advanced skills that are applicable to a wide range of occupations. They include evaluating argument and evidence, handling concepts and debates, organising your work, communicating effectively in writing, and exercising independent judgement and initiative. The course provides a basis for work or further vocational training in the caring and social professions and psychotherapy, as well as in the media and culture industries and in related fields like journalism, public relations, teaching, arts and higher education administration and management.
Entry
You must hold a UK honours degree (or its equivalent), ideally though not necessarily, in the subject you wish to pursue.
It is expected that you will commence your studies with the preferred postgraduate foundation course for the qualification you are studying towards, either Investigating the psychological world (D821) or Investigating the social world (D822) (please refer to the relevant qualification description).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, or whether your subject knowledge and study skills are adequate for study at this level, please contact the Postgraduate Studies in Social Sciences Learner Support Team at the OU in Yorkshire (telephone 0113 234 1225, email).
Preparatory work
We suggest:
I. Burkitt (1992) Social Selves: Theories of the Social Formation of Personality, Sage.
Qualifications
D853 is an optional course in our
- Postgraduate Certificate in Social Sciences (C24)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Research Methods (E12)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Sciences (D41)
- MA in Cultural and Media Studies (F17)
- MA in Social Policy and Criminology (F18)
- MA in Social Sciences (F09)
- MSc in Psychology (F15)
- MSc in Social Research Methods (F24)
- MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminology (F49)
D853 together with either the foundation course Investigating the psychological world (D821) or Investigating the social world (D822) (or the discontinued course D820) will qualify you for a Postgraduate Certificate in the Social Sciences and with an additional 60 points of specified courses for a Postgraduate Diploma.
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
A significant amount of the course deals with analysis of visual representation, and some of the material is presented on audio CD. If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course book, other printed materials, audio CD.
You will need
A CD player.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Your tutor may not be local, so your contact will probably be by correspondence or telephone. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the final course starting date in November 2009.
How to register
We regret that we are currently unable to accept registrations for this course. Where the course is to be presented again in the future, relevant registration information will be displayed on this page as soon as it becomes available.
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A postgraduate course.
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Student Reviews
This is an excellent course. The Study Guide is well-written and provides a solid base to return to after working ...
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This is a fantastic course. There may be courses that offer more in terms of current scientific progression (neurology etc) ...
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