| CODE | LAS1077 | ||||||
| TITLE | Culture and Identity | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | I - Introductory Level | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | CULTURE AND IDENTITY Cultural anthropology will be explained in detail and we different cultures in the world will be explored. The difference between material and non-material culture will be discussed. There are two different approaches to the study of society. One kind of research is based on the observer who lives in the group that s/he studies; the other kind involves the observer who looks at the group from outside. In this context, the difference between culture and identity will be discussed and further explored. Culture and identity are absolutely central to all sociology and it is important to define the concepts of culture and identity. Culture is part and parcel of everything that is done. Culture is the way of life of a group of people, social life happens to be structured in a particular way. Identity means knowing who we are and who your group is. Culture and identity are frequently linked but they cannot be seen exactly as the same concept. Sociology has been concerned with the relationship between the individual and society. The role of culture in social life and law identity develops in the social context will be amplified. The differences referred to above in the study of culture and identity will be further developed. Establish and discuss how culture is related to identity and how culture shapes our identity – individually and collectively. The study of culture and identity involves debates on important issues: relationship of the individual to the wider group – degree of freedom that individuals have in their everyday life – type and degree of self-consciousness individuals have in respect of the way they behave – amount of control that the wider social framework, into which we are born, has over our life. Culture as a system and culture as a map of meaning offer different related views on what culture is, what it does and why it is important. Culture allows us to comprehend and build the reality we live in, usually through the meanings we give to symbols, passed down in language. Culture allows us to interact with others, to share common meaning, patterns of behaviour and ways of communicating. Cultures exist both subjectively and objectively: they are objective because they are concerned with material things (they shape styles of dress, food, art, music); they are subjective because they are concerned with individuals’ interpretations (they exist in the mind and allow us to make sense of the world around us). Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define Culture – a clear definition and clear understanding of the concept. - Students will be able to clearly outline differences between the two different but interacting notions ie. Culture and Identity. - Define personal, social and cultural identities. - Demonstrate the ability to think critically about both concepts. - Students to think about contemporary debates on culture and identity. - Be able to decipher and analyze how culture shapes our identity. - Understand how to cross cultural differences in social norms. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the immense role of culture when it comes to identity. - Establish the link between the two notions. - Describe the complex realities of how soft power can be a powerful tool in today’s politics. - Students will be able to understand how culture is related to identity. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Thomas, JA., & Schwarzbaum, SE. Culture and Identity Life Stories for Counsellors and Therapists. - Lindholm, C., (2007). Culture and Identity: The History, Theory, and Practice of Psychological Anthropology. - Frendo, H. & Friggieri, O. (1994) Culture and Identity. Published by BDL Books. - Skinner, J. & Jolliffe, L. (2019) Murals and Tourism: Heritage, Politics and Identity. - Mayo, M. (2000) Culture, Communities, Identities, Cultural Strategies for Participation and Empowerment. Palgrave Macmillan Publishers Limited (UK). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Anthony Licari (Co-ord.) Sharon Scicluna |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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