| CODE | PPG2004 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Citizenship, Identity and the Politics of Difference | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Policy, Politics and Governance | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit examines the two inter-related themes of citizenship and identity which are central to the study and the practice of contemporary politics. The study-unit explores the link between the nation-state, the role of identity in the formation of such states, and the concept of nationalism. The study-unit moves on to consider how the politics of difference impacts conceptualisations of citizenship and identity, particularly in contexts of multicultural populations and competing identity narratives. Identity politics is another theme covered in this study-unit, highlighting the tensions that exist between notions of citizenship and different social groups. Finally, the link between the citizenship and identity is explored from the point of view of contemporary identitarian and populist parties. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: - Analyse how different conceptions of citizenship developed from antiquity to modern and contemporary times; - Offer a solid theoretical perspective on political phenomena such as nationalism and populism that are especially salient in contemporary politics; - Investigate the relationship between notions of citizenship, identity and the politics of difference; - Analyse how multicultural contexts impact conceptualisations and understandings of citizenship and nation; - Equip students with theoretical frameworks for understanding and analysing identity politics; - Problematise the relationship between citizenship and nation-states. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Answer probing questions about the concepts of the nation-state, citizenship and identity politics, by drawing on a solid body of scholarly studies; - Apply theoretical frameworks and comparative data to a critical appraisal of policy proposals concerning citizenship, or political platforms based on identity narratives; - Participate knowledgeably in debates about citizenship and identity in the politics of the European Union and of Malta; - Research issues associated with citizenship and identity utilising the methodologies current among scholars working in this sub-field of politics. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Devise, undertake and write up small, focused studies on aspects of citizenship and identity politics; - Write well-informed, thoughtful, original articles on aspects of citizenship and identity; - Identify contemporary debates centred on the notions of citizenship and identity. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Arendt, H. (1951). 鈥淭he Decline of the Nation-State and the End of the Rights of Man,鈥� in The Origins of Totalitarianism. Harcourt. - Bellamy, R. & D. Castiglione. 2019. From Maastricht to Brexit: Democracy, Constitutionalism and Citizenship in the EU. Rowman & Littlefield. - Crenshaw, K. (1991). 鈥淢apping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color,鈥� Stanford Law Review vol. 43, no. 6: 1241-1299. - Taylor, C. (1994). 鈥淭he Politics of Recognition,鈥� in Multiculturalism. Princeton UP. Supplementary Readings: - Anderson, B. (2006). Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, 2nd ed. Verso. - Fenton, S. & R. Mann. 2017. Nation, Class and Resentment: The Politics of National Identity in England, Scotland and Wales. London: Palgrave Macmillan. - Frendo, H. 2012. Europe and Empire: Culture. - Klingemann, H-D & D. Fuchs (eds). 1995. Citizens and the State. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Milbank, J. & A. Pabst. 2016. The Politics of Virtue. London: Rowman & Littlefield. - Modood, T. 2019. Essays on Secularism and Multiculturalism. London: Rowman & Littlefield. - Offe, C. & U. K. Preuss. Citizens in Europe: Essays on Democracy, Constitutionalism and European Integration. Colchester: ECPR Press. - Smith, A. (1992). 鈥淣ational Identity and the Idea of European Unity,鈥� International Affairs, 68 (1), 55鈥�76. - Wodak, R. (2015). The Politics of Fear: What Right-Wing Populist Discourses Mean. SAGE. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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