Theories of Self and Identity

This is quite a large (18 slide) PowerPoint Presentation, complete with a core list of lesson outcomes, covering personal and social identities and, in the main, perspectives on The Self and identity (Functionalist, Marxist and Interpretivist).

While you may find the content useful I’m a bit more ambivalent about the “lesson outcomes” – not so much that they exist but more the way they’re presented alongside each information slide:

All will be able to identify what different theories say about identity(E-D)

Most will be able to explain why different theories explain identity as they do (C-B)

Some will be able to use critique the various sociological theories on identity (B-A)

While it’s fine to show a class what they need to do in order to achieve various (A – E) exam grades it seems to me a little pointless – not to say potentially self-defeating – to pre-emptively divide your class into 3 grade groups and suggest that “only some” will be capable of applying critical evaluation to a perspective.

If you’re comfortable with this, you can download this version of the Self and Identity Presentation.

However, if you’d prefer an alternative version, this is one I’ve changed slightly to present what I think are a slightly more-positive set of whole-class outcomes:

Be able to identify what different theories say about identity(E-D)

Be able to explain why different theories explain identity as they do (C-B)

Be able to critique the various sociological theories on identity (B-A)

As they say, you pays your money (or, in this case, don’t pay any money because of the kindness of the author in sharing their creation) and you makes your choice…