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 rights: 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.

About the Author

Anthony Elliott is Professor of Sociology, Flinders University, Australia, Visiting Research Professor at the Open University, UK and Visiting Professor at University College Dublin, Ireland. A specialist in the field of identity studies, Professor Elliott's related books include Subject to Ourselves, 2e (2004), Social Theory Since Freud (2004), The New Individualism (2005, with Charles Lemert), Concepts of the Self, 2e (2007), Making The Cut: How Cosmetic Surgery is Transforming Our Lives (2008), Identity in Question (2008, with Paul du Gay) and Mobile Lives (2010, with John Urry).

Reviews

"This compelling look at identity and its implications contributes to understanding a broad range of topics, including culture, environment, sexuality, gender, and politics. Elliott (sociology, Flinders Univ., Australia) brings together essays addressing many of the complexities of identity, among them the challenge of defining identity and the distinction between individual self and social self. The volume begins with a complex but intriguing discussion of the existence of "pure" identity. This is followed by an informative review of the history of identity studies. Contributors present systematic evaluations of various relevant questions of identity, addressing history, significant contributors, major ideas, and directions for future research. This collection presents identity as a "riddle of life" that is important for understanding life yet impossible to truly decipher. The collection acknowledges identity as a topic that is at the core of all existence, studied by many yet still barely understood. The international group of contributors includes both established and rising scholars. This is an important addition to the literature. Summing Up: Highly recommended" - Choice Magazine

"This Routledge Handbook of Identity Studies deserves to be read by doctoral students in social sciences who will find in one single volume a diversified overview of the cutting-edge research on social identities; so far, this collective book has no equivalent in the French language."- Yves Laberge, Ph.D., Recherches sociologiques et anthropologiques, 45-1 |

Book Information
ISBN 9781138019416
Author Anthony Elliott
Format Paperback
Page Count 408
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 800g