School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy  
 
 
PIR-30128 Protest and social movements  
Co-ordinator: Dr Brian Doherty    Room: CBB2.028, Tel:34176  
Teaching Team: Dr Brian  Doherty, Mrs Paula  Hughes, Mrs Julie  Street, Dr Sherilyn  MacGregor, Miss Laura  Barcroft, Mrs Diane  Mason, Mr Derek R  Bell  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
American Studies Minor (Level 3)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 3)
International Relations Major (Level 3)
International Relations Minor (Level 3)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 3)
Politics Dual Honours (Level 3)
Politics Major (Level 3)
Politics Minor (Level 3)
Politics Single Honours (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
N/A

Prerequisites
N/A

Description

This course is about social movements and their role as vehicles of political protest and political and social change. Social movements are a universal phenomenon in modern societies and they have provoked controversy because they are generally critical of important features of the political or social system. Their critics might see them as extremists or hopelessly utopian while their supporters see in them the hope of more democracy or a better kind of society. The academic analysis of social movements does not escape these controversies, so one task that we will face in assessing different approaches to the study of social movements will be to disentangle the different views of the social world that underlie conflicting theories of protest and social movements.

You will be expected to be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of explanatory theories of social movements, to place movements in a wider context and to assess the power relations and social forces that shape the political environment of social movements. The cases that we examine include: recent protests in Britain, protest against authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Burma and Eastern Europe pre-1989; protest movements in the global South such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, and feminist and environmental movements in Europe and North America. The themes that we cover include the place of protest in democracy, the justifiability of breaking the law in protests, the evidence about who participates in protest and why, the kinds of protest action that social movement groups choose to pursue, the influence of the state and policing on protest, how radical activists organise and create alternative communities, and the different theoretical approaches to social movements.

Assessment is through an essay (50%) of up to 3,000 words and an oral examination (50%). The oral examination is a 20 minute discussion with the tutor on one of the subjects covered in the module, chosen from a list of three subjects nominated by you. In addition, there is a formative oral examination exercise which takes place in seminars. This is formative and does not contribute to the module mark, but helps you to prepare for the oral examination.


Aims
To introduce students to the main debates on the origins and significance of social movements and radical forms of political protest.
Intended Learning Outcomes
demonstrate a detailed knowledge of debates and theories at the forefront of the current study of social movements and protest will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of varying perspectives on social movements and protest with a view to assessing their explanatory potential will be achieved by assessments: 1 2
demonstrate a specialised knowledge of the key characteristics and events of a particular protest or social movement will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
apply theoretical concepts about protest and social movements to more than one case will be achieved by assessments: 2
engage effectively in debate and respond to questions will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Study hours
10 hours contact time in ten one-hour seminars
10 hours contact time in lectures
40 hours seminar preparation
10 hours preparation for first oral examination
40 hours research and writing of essay
40 hours research and preparation for examination
Description of Module Assessment
01: Oral Presentation weighted 10%
10 minute individual presentation
02: Essay weighted 40%
2500 words
03: Unseen Exam weighted 50%
2 hour essay based exam
Version: (1.05A) Created: 01/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.