Global Social Movements
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with the analytical tools to understand past and present social movements as well as other forms of contentious politics. It does so by addressing key concepts and theories relating to the study of social movements. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the rise of social movements, their development over time, and their outcomes. They will also acquire knowledge about specific issues such as the class bases of social movements, transnational protest and global activism, and democracy in social movements.
Expected learning outcomes
By critically discussing the arguments of the assigned readings in an interactive environment, students will become able to find their way in the literature on social movements. Furthermore, they will be stimulated to apply the concepts and theories learned to past and contemporary social movements, which will enable them to problematize such concepts and theories through an empirical understanding of the course's contents.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
This course provides an overview of the main concepts and theories relating to the study of social movements. It aims to answer five fundamental questions: (1) What is a social movement? (2) How does a social movement emerge? (3) How does a social movement develop? (4) What are the consequences of a social movement? (5) Who participates in a social movement?
OUTLINE
1. Concepts and definitions
2. Grievances, resources, and social movements
3. Political process theory and its critics
4. Culture, framing, and emotions
5. The contentious politics agenda
6. Old and new social movements
7. Transnational protest and global activism
8. Democracy in social movements
9. The consequences of social movements
10. Protest politics and social movement activism in the age of globalization
OUTLINE
1. Concepts and definitions
2. Grievances, resources, and social movements
3. Political process theory and its critics
4. Culture, framing, and emotions
5. The contentious politics agenda
6. Old and new social movements
7. Transnational protest and global activism
8. Democracy in social movements
9. The consequences of social movements
10. Protest politics and social movement activism in the age of globalization
Teaching methods
Each teaching week is divided in two parts. The first part takes the form of a lecture given by the teacher on a specific topic. The second part will be made of classroom discussions based on assigned readings on that topic. The required readings as well as any other materials for the course will be made available on Ariel.
Teaching Resources
della Porta, Donatella et Mario Diani (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Social Movements. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Snow, David A., Sarah A. Soule, and Hanspeter Kriesi (eds.). 2004. The Blackwell Companion to Social Movements. Oxford: Blackwell.
Snow, David A., Sarah A. Soule, Hanspeter Kriesi et Holly J. McCammon (eds.). 2019. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Social Movements. Second Edition. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Snow, David A., Sarah A. Soule, and Hanspeter Kriesi (eds.). 2004. The Blackwell Companion to Social Movements. Oxford: Blackwell.
Snow, David A., Sarah A. Soule, Hanspeter Kriesi et Holly J. McCammon (eds.). 2019. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Social Movements. Second Edition. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students are assessed via a final essay (3500 to 4000 words) on one or more aspects addressed in the course.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Giugni Marco Gabriele