SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Catalog description

This course introduces students to basic social movement theory and its relation to political events. We will explore questions such as: What motivates groups of people to organize to demand political change? Why does protest occur in some situations and not in others? When are social movements likely to be successful in achieving their demands? What is the role of the state in encouraging and suppressing social organizations? We will apply these theories to movements such as the civil rights movement, women's movements, indigenous movements, gay rights movements, peace movements, peace movements, religious movements and the environmental movements. The particular groups studied will vary by semester.