Sociology 430

SOCY 430
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Catalog Entry

SOCY 430. Social Movements.
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisites: SOCY 110 or SOCY/ANTH 121

Social movements are examined from a sociological perspective, with an emphasis on the social structural origins of collective events, their emergence, decline and effects on social policy.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The purpose of this course is to have students explore a variety of topics in the study of social movements and revolutions including:

1.Theories of social movements and revolutions
2.Strategies and tactics
3.The organizational forms and leadership
4.Social structural origins of movements including industrialization, urbanization and economic changes
5.Substantive analysis of movements including the labor, civil rights, student, women's, environmental, peace, abortion and conservative and reactionary movements
6.The effect of movements on social policy

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course includes lecture, oral presentations, films, and discussion of readings and related current events.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Students will:

1. understand how social change results from collective action by ordinary people;
2. develop sociological imagination, i.e., the ability to understand the effect of culture and social structure on individual behavior.

Assessment Measures

Graded assignments include tests, papers, oral presentations and class participation.

Other Course Information

Graduate students must include a section in the final paper critiquing the methods used to gather data for the paper.

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED
January, 2004 Reviewed Peggy A. Shifflett

March, 2009