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