Spring 2021 - SA 321 J100

Social Movements (S) (4)

Class Number: 3218

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 19, 2021
    Mon, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Ataman Avdan
    aavdan@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Tu 16:00-17:00 or by appointment via Zoom
  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A study of the sources, development and effects of social movements in transitional and modernized societies. Specific types of movements will be analysed.

COURSE DETAILS:

Do you complain about the things you dislike, especially about several aspects of political, social, economic systems? Many do. However, these powerful systems are resistant to change and mere complaining would not have an impact on them. Occasionally, people band together and challenge these systems: They form protest organizations and demand change; they make their voices heard through strikes, marches, demonstrations, sit-ins, and many other creative ways. Social movements have played a major role in individual countries and globally, helping to bring about the end of slavery, voting rights for women, the 8-hour workday, minimum wage, same-sex marriage, among many other social changes that we now take for granted. However, many people know little about social movements and see activists as marginal, if not crazy, “trouble makers” who just waste people’s time.

This course explores the history and theory of contemporary social movements. The study of social movements helps to illuminate many larger social issues such as the nature of power and inequality in society; how social change happens; the role of ideas and values, how public opinion shapes and is shaped by the media; as well as the power dynamics among people diverse in race, class, gender, and other identities. In short, the more we understand social movements the further we comprehend the human condition and human diversity. We will start with a theoretical discussion on social movements, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of several approaches/perspectives, including political opportunity theory, relative deprivation theory, resource mobilization theory, new social movement theory, and framing theory. In the second part, drawing from history, sociology, and politics, and through the lenses of power, resistance, and identity, we will examine a range of historical and contemporary social movements, including but not limited to peasant movements, labour movements, feminist movements, gay and lesbian liberation and LGBTQ+ movements, Occupy Wall Street, indigenous movements, the environmentalism of the poor, the transnational anti-globalization movement, the Gezi Resistance, the Arab Spring and Black Lives Matter.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. define what a social movement is;
  2. identify the main themes and theoretical models of the sociology of social movements;
  3. explain when and why social movements occur, who joins movements, what movements do and how they do it, how they are organized, what strategies they use, what impacts they have on individuals and society, and why they decline;
  4. critically evaluate the relationship between social movements relate and social change; and
  5. synthesize course material verbally through in-class discussions and in writing.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Annotations (5 x 2%) 10%
  • Group presentation 10%
  • Short essay 15%
  • Midterm exam (take-home/open book) 20%
  • Final exam (take-home/open book) 30%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available through Canvas, the SFU Library, or otherwise online as noted.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).