NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi inaugurated the “live virtual talk” between the two campuses, featuring Harvey Molotch, NYU New York Professor of Sociology and Metropolitan Studies. Moloch delivered a talk entitled “Making Self and Other: Solidarities and Moral Panics,” with over 20 students and faculty members participating in a lively virtual question and answer session following the presentation.
During the talk, Molotch discussed the sociological theory of symbolic interaction and explained how it accounts for construction of the "social self;" that is, one’s personal identity in the "eyes of others." In addition to being the basis for normal social interaction, this process of identity construction can also lead to conformity, isolation, and, in extreme cases, violence and outright war.
“I cannot remember ever speaking to a group of more engaged students. Every question -- and there were a lot of them -- was not only smart but came from a real struggle to take the issues to a higher level,” said an impressed Molotch of the students in his virtual meeting.
The talk was organized by NYU Shanghai Associate Director for EAP, Brandon Conlon.