Intersectionality in Education Research

This course is designed to explore the theoretical and methodological questions raised by the concept of intersectionality – the idea that human beings possess multiple identities simultaneously and that the intersection of those identities has important implications for their beliefs, attitudes and experiences.  Thus far, most of the work in this area has been theoretical.  This course is designed to acquaint students with that theoretical literature, but also to take steps towards applying those theories in empirical work.  The first portion of the course deals with bringing together the theory on how race, class, gender and sexuality are understood to affect individual attitudes and experience. We also explore the epistemological questions surrounding this work.  The second portion entails an exploration of how scholars from different fields have applied these theoretical ideas in empirical studies.  What can we learn from them about how to operationalize these concepts?  What are the strengths and weaknesses or their approaches? Are there methodologies that are more or less amenable to doing this kind of work?  What are the tradeoffs? The goal will be to leave students with the background and concrete knowledge necessary to incorporate intersectionality into their future research.