SOC-20056 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module introduces students to the history, theories and practices of social movements in local, national and global contexts. Referring to case studies, we explore: why social movements emerge; what social movements are trying to achieve; the public sphere response to campaigning and protest; and the extent to which social movements realise social change. Alongside an examination of the development and scope of social movements, the module also explores the culture of protest. Here, we consider how protest is performed through cultural forms such as art, literature and social media, and unpack how these counter-narratives inform public opinion.

- to introduce students to the history, theories and practices relating to local, national and global social movements;
- to encourage a critical sociological understanding of how social movements and protest might contribute to social change;
- to assess the complex relationships between the State and social movements that seek to resist or oppose power relations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and define the principal characteristics of social movements: 1,2
define and utilise the theories and concepts essential for the analysis of social movements: 1,2
assess State and dominant public sphere response to social movements and protest: 1,2
critically evaluate theories of social change in relation to the everyday practices of social movements: 1,2
provide an account of one historical or contemporary social movement referring to relevant sociological theories: 1,2
outline how social movements can be categorised into a variety of different types and structures: 1,2

Study hours

10 hours lectures
10 hours tutorials
40 hours tutorial preparation
45 hours poster preparation
45 hours short answer paper preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment