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Ethnicity and Race: Making Identities in a Changing World
"This book is very well written and clearly organized throughout. It is pitched at upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level race and ethnicity students...in sum, this is an important book, highly recommended to students and faculty alike. The authors draw extensively from classic and contemporary sociological theory throughout the text and maintain a transnational focus in each and every chapter." ―TEACHING SOCIOLOGY
Ethnicity and Making Identities in a Changing World, Second Edition uses examples and extended case studies from all over the world to craft a compelling, even-handed account of the power and persistence of ethnicity and race in the contemporary world. Known for its conceptual clarity, world-historical scope, and fair-minded treatment of these oft controversial topics, this updated and expanded edition retains all of the core elements and constructionist insights of the original.
Ethnicity and Making Identities in a Changing World, Second Edition uses examples and extended case studies from all over the world to craft a compelling, even-handed account of the power and persistence of ethnicity and race in the contemporary world. Known for its conceptual clarity, world-historical scope, and fair-minded treatment of these oft controversial topics, this updated and expanded edition retains all of the core elements and constructionist insights of the original.
- GenresSociologyNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 6, 2024
Yes I’m adding my class books
Helpful for my class material but once again, really tough
Helpful for my class material but once again, really tough
May 4, 2012
I read this book this semester as required by my Ethnicity and Nationalism course. This is a basic look at identities and the construction of those identities, how they're shaped and how it affects not only the group but the society and world around them with the ever-growing presence of globalization.
Race and ethnicity are, of course, the focal point. As a social construct (and therefore fake in any biological test), it briefly discussed how certain groups dealt with the change of their identities through migration and colonization and so forth--how new identities were assigned and then asserted.
I enjoyed this book. As an introductory text, it served it's purpose. I would have liked a bit more depth, but this is for an upper-level general ed class. I know it had me thinking, and I could tell how it began to shape the views of my fellow classmates. The most interesting part for me was learning that prominent early 20th century sociologists such as Robert Park predicted the end of the concepts of race and ethnicity as the world began to globalize and modernize, but this did not happen. Even with intermarriage and global migration, boundaries are still enforced. We don't melt, the authors assert, but our need for compartmentalization and an identity all our own (which by definition creates an "other," a "them"), serves to reinforce boundaries as well. Some have melted, but not enough. The question is whether these sociologists' predictions will simply take more time to materialize, or if they never will. I tend to think there is a strong argument for both answers.
Race and ethnicity are, of course, the focal point. As a social construct (and therefore fake in any biological test), it briefly discussed how certain groups dealt with the change of their identities through migration and colonization and so forth--how new identities were assigned and then asserted.
I enjoyed this book. As an introductory text, it served it's purpose. I would have liked a bit more depth, but this is for an upper-level general ed class. I know it had me thinking, and I could tell how it began to shape the views of my fellow classmates. The most interesting part for me was learning that prominent early 20th century sociologists such as Robert Park predicted the end of the concepts of race and ethnicity as the world began to globalize and modernize, but this did not happen. Even with intermarriage and global migration, boundaries are still enforced. We don't melt, the authors assert, but our need for compartmentalization and an identity all our own (which by definition creates an "other," a "them"), serves to reinforce boundaries as well. Some have melted, but not enough. The question is whether these sociologists' predictions will simply take more time to materialize, or if they never will. I tend to think there is a strong argument for both answers.
October 4, 2012
This book was part of the essential recommended reading list for the Ethnicity and Race module of a course when I was a student. This review is based on Chapters 1-6 and not on the whole book.
The book covers the concepts of race and ethnicity starting of from a historical point of view progressing onto alternating views such as assimilationism and primordialism. The use of case studies from across the world including the US aid understanding and depth to these topics. Inevitably it does progress onto politics concerning politcal systems, labour markets and residential space.
Based on these chapters alone, I'd say the whole book is worth reading in it's entirety. Beneficiaries would be people looking to gain a very in depth understanding of race and ethnicity across many levels.
The book covers the concepts of race and ethnicity starting of from a historical point of view progressing onto alternating views such as assimilationism and primordialism. The use of case studies from across the world including the US aid understanding and depth to these topics. Inevitably it does progress onto politics concerning politcal systems, labour markets and residential space.
Based on these chapters alone, I'd say the whole book is worth reading in it's entirety. Beneficiaries would be people looking to gain a very in depth understanding of race and ethnicity across many levels.
January 26, 2022
One of my favorite theoretical constructions of race and ethnicity. Based on constructionist viewpoints, the authors expertly theorize how race and ethnicity are formed, changed, and maintained throughout peace and conflict.
October 13, 2010
race relations course, loved this book! yes, i actually read it not browsed
May 5, 2016
It's a 3 for what I got out of it, but I think for those who haven't been exposed to the subject as much, for what it covers it's a 4 or 4.5.
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April 4, 2018Abarca
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews