Identity and Relationships at GU and Beyond

College is often thought of as crucial years when a person experiences heightened awareness of self and develops enduring relationships which transform the manner in which they engage their social contexts. This transformative experience coincides with the developmental period of emerging adulthood in which the person is cognitively, affectively, and behaviorally primed to capitalize on the diverse experiences afforded by most residential colleges and universities. This expectation is woven into Georgetown University’s mission and character as a Jesuit institution which emphasizes critical reflection, caring for and educating the whole person, and sustained dialogue within a diverse campus community. Yet, individual student experiences can differ significantly from each other depending on their unique identity statuses and social affiliations.

This course takes a social and developmental psychology perspective, encouraging students to reflect, explore, and discuss how key aspects of their identity have evolved during their time at Georgetown. Various identity theories will be utilized to explore and stimulate discussion regarding race, ethnicity, class, socio-economic status, religion, spirituality, gender and sexual identity.  There will be a particular focus on fostering insight in how these aspects of identity have influenced the selection and quality of interpersonal relationships in college.  Students will use salient identity statuses as a lens to enhance understanding of themselves in relation to others and their experiences at Georgetown. Finally, students will project into the immediate future potential opportunities and challenges for intra- and interpersonal growth within and between various identity statuses, as they transition into the next phase of their lives.