The module is designed so that, as well as covering a core of central concepts and theories, students will have the opportunity from selecting from among a range of optional topics. The core topics which are covered every year include:-
- Introduction: questions of definition – protest, collective action, social movements, social movement organisations. NGOs, pressure groups
- Collective behaviour or political action? The question of rationality; mass society theory; relative deprivation
- Resource mobilisation theory and its critics
- Political opportunity structures
- Ideas, values and knowledge in the making of social movements
- Mass media and social movements: framing and its consequences
- New communications media and social movements
Contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 178
Total hours: 200
normally runs in the Autumn term (term 1)
Main assessment methods
Coursework – essay (5000 words) – 100%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
Crossley, N (2002) Making Sense of Social Movements, Maidenhead: Open University Press
Dalton, R (2008) Citizen Politics in Western Democracies: 5th edition, Thousand Oaks: CQ Press
Goodwin, J & Jaspers, J (eds.) (2004) Rethinking Social Movements, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield
McAdam, D, Tarrow, S & Tilly, C (2001) Dynamics of Contention, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Porta, D & Diani, M (2006) Social Movements: An Introduction, Oxford: Blackwell
Snow, D, Soule, S & Kriesi, H (eds.) (2004) The Blackwell Companion to Social Movements, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes are as follows. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1.Demonstrate a critical understanding of the major theoretical approaches to the study of social movements including collective behaviour, mass society, relative deprivation, resource mobilisation. Political opportunity structures, and framing processes;
2.Make connections between the different social and political factors influencing the emergence of political protest and social movements, and the dynamics of social-movement activity and organisation, including the choice of repertoires of action;
3.Reflect critically upon the particular conditions affecting social movement organisation and activity at the transnational level
4.Have gained an understanding of the methodology employed to conduct empirical research into social movements and related political activity
The intended generic learning outcomes are as follows. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1.Be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in presentation and debate, both verbal and written, and in utilization of research and statistical data
2.Have acquire advanced research skills through library investigation, critical debate and essay writing
3.Be able to synthesise and evaluate items of knowledge from different schools and disciplines of enquiry.
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