Why do social movements emerge? Why might they succeed? This course examines how ordinary people challenge powerful segments of society and contribute to social change.
(1) Students in this class will demonstrate the ability to describe theoretical perspectives and concepts used by sociologists to explain social movements.
(2) Students will be able to describe the social, political, and economic forces that influenced the civil rights, women’s, and labor movements in the U.S.
(3) Students will demonstrate an understanding of why people participate in social movements.
Three required books for purchase:
Bloom, Jack. Class, Race, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Evans, Sara. Tidal Wave.
Piven, Frances Fox and Richard A. Cloward. Poor People’s Movements.
Grading:
- Short Papers (2) = 15%
- Quiz = 10%
- Exams (3) = 15% each (45% total)
- Final Exam = 30%
Grading System:
- 90-100 = A
- 80-89 = B
- 70-79 = C
- 60-69 = D
- 0-50 = F
- *Students taking this course “Pass/Fail” must earn at least 60% to receive a “Pass.”
This course is online and asynchronous. Students are expected to complete readings and watch lecture videos.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
• How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion