Sociology (SOCI) 378

Overview

SOCI 378 students examine a range of social movements globally that have arisen in response to the related crises of industrial culture, economic restructuring and ecological disasters. The course focuses on current theories of social movements, the social problems that give rise to social movements and case studies of social movements in action. A special focus on media is included. Students both assess media coverage of social problems and social movements and evaluate social movement participants' use of the media in the course of their activism.

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to provide a critical overview of (a) theories and (b) case studies of popular social movements. Particular attention will be paid to ethnic, gender and class relations and the international dimensions of social movement organization. Emphasis will be placed on the link between the global political economy of capitalism and the social organization of historic, contemporary and emerging social movements.

The specific learning objectives of SOCI 378 are:

1. to critically examine the global political economy within which social movements have emerged and operate, historically and contemporarily
2. to outline the debates concerning how and why social movements form
3. to review selected social movements
4. to critically engage with media coverage of social movements, and social movement participants' use of media
5. to conduct research into specific case studies to illustrate both theory and practice.

Outline

• Unit 1: Historical and Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems and Social Movements
• Unit 2: Global Political Economy and the Rise of New Ecological Social Movements
• Unit 3: Media and Social Movements: Petrochemicals and Health in Canada
• Unit 4: African Social Movements, Past and Present
• Unit 5: Social Movements and the Future of Humanity

Evaluation

Your final grade in SOCI 378 is based on the grades you achieve on five Critical Commentaries (one per unit), five Current Events Assignments (one per unit), a Research Paper Proposal, an Annotated Bibliography for the Research Paper, and the Final Research Paper itself. To receive credit for the course, you must achieve a minimum overall course grade of D (50 percent).

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.