Social constructionist identity politics and literary studies

"In this interdisciplinary study, Suman Gupta argues that while it is widely accepted that essentialist ideas of identity are politically dangerous, certain social constructionist accounts of identity have now come to enjoy extraordinary currency. The latter are often regarded as central to contemporary political occurrences and social/cultural arrangements, particularly in academic institutions. This book explores why these ideas can be problematic, paying attention to both theoretical debates and institutional practices."--Jacket.