SOAN 358 - Society, Politics, and Social Movements

How do we build a better world? This course examines social justice movements, forms of activism and advocacy, power, and models for building more socially just societies. Through a comparison of different social movements for racial, gender, and economic justice, it analyzes various alternatives for organizing society and theories of social justice. It discusses the nature and inter-relationship of capitalism, socialism, democracy, the state, and civil society. We draw upon different social movement theories and examples to analyze when and why social movements emerge, what factors influence how and why people engage in activism and collective action, how movements promote change, and what tactics have been successful. Through course projects, students will analyze contemporary social movements (e.g. Black Lives Matter), observe and reflect on campus activism, and develop skills as an activist and agent of change. No prerequisite.

(Group I) (Diversity)