SOAN 358 Society, Politics, and Social Movements

Do we have to accept the world as it is or do we have the power to change it? How do we build a better world? When acting as individuals, we are largely controlled by the social forces around us. But when people work together in social movements, we have the power to remake society. This course examines social movements, activism, advocacy, power, and models for building more egalitarian societies. We compare different social movements to determine how and why people engage in activism and collective action, how movements promote change, and what tactics have been successful. We examine community organizing strategies and theories of social justice to develop a vision for a better world. Through course projects, students will analyze contemporary social movements and develop skills as an activist and agent of change.

OWU Units: 1.00. Crosslisting(s): None. Prerequisite(s): None. Corequisite(s): None. Antirequisite(s): None. Fee: None. Core Competency: Examine Power and Inequities. Offered: Alternating years.