Identity and Belonging

With case studies to ground the discussion and clear and accessible language, the authors have produced a lively and engaging introduction to the sociological study of identities and belonging. - Steph Lawler, Reader in Sociology, University of York, UK Having taught social sciences for about 20 years, I have long been looking for a good introduction to concepts of identity and belonging. This new book brings my search to an end. - Catriona Elder, Associate Professor in Sociology, University of Sydney, Australia Given its comprehensive coverage of concepts of identity and belonging, along with "real world" case studies with which to ground these, this is the ideal text to effectively engage students enrolled on a module which focuses on identity and culture in a social world. - Stephen Handsley, De Montfort University, UK

An accessible introduction to the sociological study of identity and belonging, this wide-ranging and engaging collection examines the interplay between self and society, and draws on case studies to explore sites of identity construction in a globalized world.Identity and Belonging examines the interplay between self and society and in doing so explores the complex nature of 'who we are' and 'how we come to be' as individuals and as members of various social groups. Investigating issues of identity and belonging as they emerge in contemporary social life and under conditions of globalisation, the book focuses on continuity and change in the formation of identities and communities. Through a variety of examples and case studies, the chapters discuss how elements such as ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality intersect and are experienced both locally and transnationally. As a modern guide to some classic themes and key thinkers in the discipline of sociology, this accessible text can be used to introduce core topics of identity, social divisions and globalisation, as well as to investigate in detail more specific themes and issues such as migration, consumption and digital media. It is a useful and comprehensive resource for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of sociology and related disciplines.