Ethnic relations form a central feature of many societies today, as colonialism and post-colonial migrations have created minority populations in many parts of the world. This course examines the origins and maintenance of racial and ethnic divisions in a comparative perspective. It focuses on the social construction of ethnic identities in multicultural settings. The course is concerned with general theoretical issues informing debates on identity and the cultural politics of difference, at both individual and collective levels. Special attention is given to case studies, with an emphasis on new cultural pluralism, the place of individual self-projects and the status of difference in a global world.

First essay (50%), second essay (40%) and tutorials (10%).

26 hours of lectures and 8 hours of tutorials.

Any two first-year Sociology courses or with the permission of the lecturer.