Social Movements and the Impact of Technologies

Catalog description

Students will explore social movement thematic topics including: the history of social movements, the connection between social justice and social movements, social movement theories, and ethics. Social movement case studies may consist of some of the following movements: American Civil Rights Movement, Black Panthers Movement, Apartheid, Student Activism/Vietnam Protest, Women's Movement, LGBTQ+ Movement, Environmental Movement, American Right-Wing Movement, White Nationalism, Antifa, Extremists Movements, Global Movement, and New Movements such as BLM. Those seeking social change have always made use of the communications technology of the day to promote causes. Hence, the impact of technologies will be an ongoing thread that weaves through each theme with an emphasis on technological systems including social networks and social media. Connections to current-event examples of social movement and protest activity will regularly supplement course material. Applied real-world opportunities: Students will conduct research on a current social movement issue(s) and contribute data to that topic. Research will also include the use of technology to reach a wide audience. Students will disseminate research findings to the Webster community or other appropriate stakeholder groups.