Selected Top: Social Movements

Catalog description

FALL 2012 - This course examines movements that seek change in the social, cultural and political structures of society. The social, economic and political contexts of these movements are treated as well as their origins, tactics, organization, recruitment, and successes and failures. Case studies focus on movements in the areas of labor, civil rights, feminism, the environment, "right wing politics", and neighborhood activism. In today’s world, social movements abound. Movements such as the Tea Party and the Occupy movements demonstrate that they can take place across the political spectrum of society. Moreover, the interconnectedness of the world economy creates social movements throughout the world, whether in Asia, the Mid-East or Europe that have direct affects on the United States. Because the coverage of these movements are given considerable media exposure, students (and the public) tend to accept the interpretations of these movements as presented in the narratives of the media coverage. This class will provide a systematic academic treatment of social movements. Because social movements target structural and cultural institutions in society, the study of these movements will not only provide an understanding of these movements, but of larger social problems in society as well.