Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description

Born This Way?: The Consequences of Our Beliefs about Social Identity

Instructor(s): Leigh Wilton, Psychology

Many believe that our genes contain the blueprints for who we are. But do they? Most people misunderstand both the relation between our genes and selves, and the extent to which social identities have a true, fixed, scientific basis. In this seminar, students will explore how people think about the genetic basis of four different social identities: race, gender, sexual identity, and mental health status. We will further explore the complex ways in which these beliefs influence how we treat others, with consequences for prejudice, stereotypes, social stigma, support for social rights, and social equality. We will take an interdisciplinary approach to studying these issues, introducing readings from a variety of disciplines (e.g., psychology, sociology, history), as well as through interrogating contemporary fiction, films, podcasts, and other sources. By the end of the semester, students should understand the complex ways in which social identity is relevant to everyone’s life, powerfully shaping our identities, experiences, behaviors, perspectives, and social rights.

 

Course Offered:

• Fall 2019