Routledge Handbook of Identity Studies

Routledge International Handbooks

by Anthony Elliott (editor)

The Routledge Handbook of Identity Studies offers an exceptionally clear overview of the analysis of identity in the social sciences, and in so doing seeks to develop a new agenda for identity-studies in the twenty-first century.The key theories of identity, ranging from classical accounts to postmodern, psychoanalytic and feminist approaches, are drawn together and critically appraised, and there are substantive sections looking at racial, ethnic, gendered, queer, consumerist, virtual and global identities.The Handbook also makes an essential contribution to the debate now opening up over identity-politics and its cultural consequences. From anti-globalization protestors to new ecological warriors, from devotees of therapy culture to defenders of international human the culture of identity-politics is fast redefining the public political sphere. What future for politics is there after the turn to identity?Throughout there is a strong emphasis on interdisciplinarity with essays covering sociology, psychology, politics, cultural studies and history. The Handbook s clear and direct style will appeal to a wide undergraduate audience in the social sciences and humanities.

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2011

Reviews

[غيداء الجويسر · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten months since I started reading this book, though it could've only taken 22 days if I read one chapter everyday! Anyway, this is a must read for whoever interested in the concept of Identity (I always like to capitalise the I). I admit that I skimmed 4 out of 5 chapters of the third and last part - (The book comes in three parts: (1) Theories of identity, (2) The analysis of identity and (3) Identity-politics and its consequences). Otherwise, I read the rest word by word, and in some occasions 'by heart' <3.
I want to quote from the last chapter (Identity -politics in the global age):
"It is no wonder that the late Edward Said, in an article for the Nation which approved in the aftermath h of 9/11, derided the 'clash of civilisations' as a 'clash of ignorance' (The nation 22 October 2001)!." End of quote.
It will take ages to write a full & detailed review. Meanwhile I am working on 'an effective skimming skill for academic reading'!