Overview of Course

Examines sociological theories and research on intersectionality. Beginning with the work of Crenshaw, who coined the term in 1989, this course focuses on how social division and social identity, i.e. race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, nationality, immigration status, etc. overlap and impact each other in unique ways through the creation of inequality and lead to different lived experiences. Intersectionality is an interpretive tool to understand interlocking forms of oppression and privilege.
Intersectionality emerged to address how belonging to multiple marginalized communities can compound oppression and lead to greater invisibility in society. This course will build on standpoint theory and social construction of reality to critically interrogate both privileged and marginalized identities in both local and global contexts. Identity is complex and socially constructed, meaning it changes over time and space and is dependent upon socio-economic and cultural contexts. Understanding that we have faceted identities that are differently experienced is key to achieving a broader humanism with greater empathy.