BA History and Sociology / Course details

The course introduces a range of theories and perspectives for analysing social movements and protest. It looks at key social movements, including the shift from the labour movement to new social movements, global social movements, and 'ugly' social movements, like terrorism. It also considers arguments about levels and forms of protest in modern societies, from debates about how the pandemic has (and might) affect protest, to suggestions that contemporary protest has changed from collective to more individualised forms.  

The course introduces you to a range of perspectives for analysing social movements and protest, and aims to link levels and forms of protest to competing views of power. We look at several theories drawn from the field of social movement studies and consider them in dialogue with case studies of historical and contemporary movements. We look at key social movements, including the shift from the labour movement to new social movements, global social movements, and 'ugly' social movements, like terrorism. We also consider arguments about levels and forms of protest in modern societies, from debates about how the pandemic has (and might) affect levels and forms of protest, to those who suggest that contemporary protest has changed from collective to more individualised practices of resistance.  

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:

• Deploy a range of theories and perspectives to analyse historical and contemporary social movements
• Critically evaluate theories of protest
• Relate levels and forms of protest to theories and debates about the nature of power in modern societies
• Develop new approaches and arguments through independent research

3-hour weekly sessions, consisting of 2-hour lecture and 1-hour workshop

Formative Assessment: Non-assessed Protest Journal plus one essay plan (max. 500 words) 

Summative Assessment: Written assignment (inc essay) 2500 words (100%)

All sociology courses include both formative feedback – which lets you know how you’re getting on and what you could do to improve – and summative feedback – which gives you a mark for your assessed work.

Edwards, G. (2014) Social Movements and Protest. Cambridge University Press (course textbook)