Social Identity

'Social Identity: From the New Testament to the Contemporary World' is a new module currently under development by Prof. Philip Esler. It will be available in the autumn of 2010.

Prof. Esler describes the module: 'In this module students will become familiar with the area of social psychology known as "social identity theory", which, very broadly, explores how members of groups gain identity from belonging to them and how groups interact with one another. This material will then be applied to a number of areas of the New Testament, from Paul and Luke-Acts especially, to see how it sheds light on New Testament approaches to group belonging and intergroup relationships. This analysis will form the basis for the consideration of New Testament insights in these areas in relation to contemporary issues such as the creation of identities in groups, intragroup behaviour, leadership of groups and the reduction of intergroup tension and conflict.'

The detailed content of the module will be announced in due course.