HONR2175W.80/PSC 3192W.80
Identity: Political Conflict and Change
Spring 2013
Professor Ingrid Creppell
creppell@gwu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 2:00-4:00
Monroe/Hall of Government 420
202-994-4106
The concept of identity has played an increasingly prominent role in political and social
theory over the past few decades; its importance is attested to by a large and diverse
literature in political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, literary theory, and
other fields. The nature of identity is incredibly complex and no course can pretend to
cover it adequately. Our aim is to pursue a series of basic questions and develop
theoretical, historical and moral frameworks for thinking about this vital topic. Identity is
both a source of order and of conflict, for individuals and political-social groups. How is
identity formed? What is the connection between individual and collective identity?
Which political and social-cultural categories have become important motivating
identifications, at the national and international levels? How have major norms regarding
race, sexuality and gender roles been transformed? Should identity be a basis of ethical
claims or should we move beyond identity? These are some of the questions we will use
to study important writings (and some film) to gain a better grasp on the subject.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
 read, critically appraise, and learn from various types of texts and artistic
creations
 differentiate between levels of ontology in regard to identity
 understand specific historical changes in the concept and phenomenon of
identity
 explain aspects of the relationship between identity and conflict
 use ethical (moral) arguments to debate the role of identity in contemporary
politics
Course requirements
 Class presentation & memo: 15%
o One class presentation & discussion memo: Discussion leaders are
required to write a short memo for the week in which they present to
the seminar. The memo should: (a) summarize briefly the main
argument, approach/methods and findings of each assigned article or
book; (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the week's readings
overall; and (c) identify outstanding questions on the topic for the
week. Graphs and other visual tools may be used as well.
 Participation & 9 response papers: 20%
o Weekly reaction papers due 9 am on the morning of class
 Two papers:
o 6-8 pg: 25% (First draft; peer review; & final draft)
1

Draft due Saturday February 16; Peer Review due Friday,
February 22; Final draft due Friday, March 1.
o 20-25 page research paper; 40%, using at least 6-8 independent
sources. First draft (optional) due May 1; final draft due May 10.
General points
Absences will significantly reduce your grade. All requirements must be fulfilled to pass
the course (including 9 response papers). Strict adherence to the Pledge of Academic
Integrity is expected. Computer use is not allowed in the classroom. Assignments may
be modified, according to instructor’s determination. Grading rubric for the papers will
be provided on the course website.
Policy on Classroom Participation
In seminars, silence is not golden! Due to the small class size, every student is expected
to participate in class discussion each class, with substantive observations, arguments and
opinion. This is a seminar and we learn from our interaction with one another and
through articulating and defending arguments and points of view.
WID requirements
This course is part of the “writing in the disciplines” (WID) program. You will write 2
papers, at least the first of which must undergo revision. Paper #1 will also be read by
one of your peers. Your draft grade will count toward the final grade on this paper. The
writing assignments are constructed to help you learn two different types of writing
characteristic of political analysis: (1) Theory paper: textual analysis & reconstruction
and critical reasoning through comparison of two writers (read in class) on a specific
question; (2) Research paper: formulation of research question about identity; assembling
of high-quality sources to explore question; careful analysis and convincing defense of
thesis.
1/15
Introduction and discussion: puzzles/preconceptions of identity.
1/22

What is identity? Basic concepts and the question of levels of ontology.
Gleason, Philip. “Identifying Identity: A Semantic History” The Journal of
American History, Vol 69, No. 4 (March 1983), pp. 910-931.
Taylor, Charles. Multiculturalism, “The Politics of Recognition” p. 25-44.
1992/94. E-reserves
Fearon, James. “What is Identity (as we now use the word)?” 1999


1/29


What forms identity?
The Other:
o Hegel, “Lordship and Bondage” in The Phenomenology of Spirit, 1807,
pp. 111-19. E-reserves
o Schmitt, The Concept of the Political, 1932, pp. 19-52.
Psychology in modernity: Erikson, Identity: Youth and Crisis, 1968, Ch. 1
(Prologue) and pp. 91-96. E-reserves
2

2/5
Structures/Context: Rogers Smith, “Identities, interests, and the future of political
science.” Perspectives on Politics 2 (2004).


Identity in comparative perspective: ethnicity and nationhood
Weber, Max. “What is an Ethnic Group?” 1922. E-reserves
Laitin, David. Identity in Formation, 1995, excerpt.
2/12


Identity in comparative perspective: ethnicity and nationhood
Anderson, Benedict: Imagined Communities, 1991, xi-46.
Andric, Ivo. The Bridge on the Drina, 1945.
2/19



Identity and International Relations
Huntington, Samuel: “Clash of Civilizations” Foreign Affairs, 1993.
Sen, Amartya. Identity & Violence, 2006. Preface & pp.1-83.
Lebow, Richard Ned. “Identity and International Relations” in International
Relations, 2008 22: 473-492.
2/26


American identity and contemporary political theory
Young, Iris Marion: Justice and the Politics of Difference, 1990, Ch.2. E-reserves
Gutmann, Amy: Identity in Democracy, 2004, Intro & Ch.3
3/5
Immigration in America
Diaz, Junot. Drown, 1997.
Film: The Namesake, 2006.


SPRING BREAK
3/19

Major Transformations: Race
Fanon, Franz. The Wretched of the Earth, 1961.
3/26
Film: Malcolm X
4/2

Major Transformations: Sexuality
Foucault, Michel. History of Sexuality, An Introduction, 1978/1990.

Major Transformations: Gender
Appiah, Anthony. The Honor Code, 2010.
4/9
4/16

Current Challenges: European Identity
Caldwell, Christopher. Reflections on the Revolution in Europe, 2009.
4/23
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Current Challenges: Cosmopolitan or universalist identity?
Kristen R. Monroe: “The Altruistic Perspective”
Nussbaum: For Love of Country, 2002.
Fish/Asma “The Myth of Universal Love” 2013
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