SCY3410

Sociology of self

Bill Foddy

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives This subject aims to introduce students to the work of GH Mead; familiarise students with the general symbolic interaction paradigm that has been built upon Mead's work, so that students appreciate the theoretical similarities between the symbolic interaction theoretical paradigm and Darwin's theory of evolution - especially those similarities which centre on reciprocal, reflexive, and dialectical elements; see how a wide range of everyday, self-related processes fit within, and are explained by, the symbolic interaction paradigm.

Synopsis This option deals, primarily from a symbolic interactionist point of view, with the following topics: techniques for measuring the self; the role of `typifications' in social interaction (motives, emotions, disclaimers, excuses); self process in subhuman species; emergence of self-processes in humans; self-evaluation/self-esteem; objective self-awareness; role-taking; presentation of self; self-monitoring; embarrassment/stigma; self-disclosure; privacy; obscenity; loneliness; shame and guilt, anger, shyness; jealousy; love; identity crises; and the relationship between social structure and self.

Assessment Seminar paper (2000 words): 40%
* Essay (4000 words): 60%

Preliminary reading

Baldwin J D George Herbert Mead: A unifying theory for sociology Sage, 1986