Identity and Difference: Many of the authors we have studied have argued that in a post-modern age identities are becoming more and more fragmented Custom Paper

Section A) Choose one of the following
1) Fragmented identities?
Many of the authors we have studied have argued that in a post-modern age identities are becoming more and more fragmented. Post-modern theories have challenged the traditional Western boundaries of subjectivity and on identity (mind/body, human/animal, human/machine, subject/object). Describe the main features of each author, and articulate your own assessment
References: Butler, Braidotti, Haraway, Bauman, Sennett
2) With or without the body
First of all, analyze which feminist authors have brought “the body” to the forefront of attention. Proceed to analyze why and how do their position differ, and what are their theoretical (identity, subjectivity) and political implications (which conceptions of society? which conception of democracy?). Finally, you are welcome to express your own assessment
References: Butler, Irigaray, Cavarero, Haraway (you may also refer to the Movie Boys don’t cry)
3) Ethical consequences of post modern identity
First of all, you need to highlight what are the most important features of a post-modern approach to identity. You must then proceed to analyse such transformations under the point of view of the implication they might have on moral capacity. References: Braidotti, Bauman, Sennett, Ricoeur (you may also refer to the movies)

Section B) Choose one of the following

1)Personal identity in a globalizing world
How much does our current political and social condition (globalization, and all that it entails) affect the construction of personal identity? Do “nationality” or “ethnicity” still play a major role in constructing identity? And are cultural identity and political identity coincident, or are they two separate categories? You may answer to these questions in general, but at some stage you must take into consideration at least the European case: you are more than welcome to compare it with the US experience.
References: Habermas, Honneth, Cerutti. You may also look back to Rawls and Kimlicka

2)Recognition, rights, identity
First of all, you need to discuss if the sheer fact of being a citizen bearer of rights does or does not affect the perception of one’s identity. You need to take into consideration the perspective of recognition and its affirmation that equal rights are not enough to make each individual feel like a full member of a political community. Defend or challenge this thesis, discussing also the role of cultural and gender differences
References: Cavarero, Habermas and Honneth (you need to make references to political liberalism, such as Rawls and /or Mill: you may refer back to Kimlicka)

3) Gender, identity and democracy
First of all, analyse the thesis of the “thought of sexual difference”, and debate whether gender identity is “essential” or “socially constructed”. After this, reflect on what kind of political consequences may derive from each of these perspectives, in terms of conceptions of citizenship and policy-making.
References: Irigaray, Butler, Cavarero (you may also refer to Habermas and Honneth)