What will I learn on this module?
On this module you will explore the ways individuals and communities come together to challenge injustice and inequalities. The module is particularly concerned with the ways ordinary people try to challenge and resist the powerful and advocate for and develop more just ways of organising society. You will critically explore both contemporary and historical ways of understanding and theorising activism and resistance, including studying historical and more contemporary social movements, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Anti-War Movement and Guerrilla Gardening. A variety of case study examples will be examined each year, such as analysing anti-corporate activism and boycotts, environmental activism, and diverse forms of feminist activism. You will analyse how and why people choose to take stand and what impact it has on them, as well as exploring different strategies of protest and resistance, such as violent and non-violent protest, activism via social media, and creativity as a form of activism and resistance. Cutting across North-South boundaries, you will engage with both UK and international examples to analyse the extent to which individuals and communities have been able to challenge the powerful, and the impacts this has had both immediately, and over time.
How will I learn on this module?
You will participate in a mix of online lectures (one hour pre-recorded and one hour live interactive) and workshop activities, including role-plays, whole group discussion, small group activities, research tasks, short presentations, and debates. The module will draw on a range of resources, including films and other media, both contemporary and historical. You will be expected to read identified key texts in advance of each workshop to enable participatory discussion. You will be asked to bring in contemporary examples of activism from the media and the internet to support class activities and discussions.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by the teaching team through seminars and Blackboard, supplemented by one to one tutorials and email. You will be given contact details and office hours for the teaching team to enable them to book tutorials and ask questions by email.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding
1. You will be able to critically analyse historical and contemporary concepts of activism, resistance and social change, and the changing social, political, economic and cultural contexts in which different forms of activism take place
2. You will be able to draw upon relevant Sociological theory to understand and analyse different examples of activism and resistance
Intellectual / Professional skills and abilities
1. You will be able to select the appropriate tools for analysing and comparing different forms and strategies of resistance, and the impacts of activism across different sectors of society.
2. You will be able to select and analyse a range of diverse resources including media, film, NGO reports, and internet resources, to enable you to engage critically with activism and resistance.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA)
1. You will develop a critical and comparative understanding of diverse examples of activism across the global North and South
How will I be assessed?
You will submit a summative 1,500 word annotated bibliography in week 7, and a summative 2,000 word written essay in week 12, in response to a question/s provided in the Module Guide and discussed within the workshops. Extensive assessment advice will be provided in the Module Guide, on the e-learning portal and during lectures/workshops.
Formative assessment will include small group presentations presenting a research task undertaken in the workshop, and peer assessment of an essay plan.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code L300
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Social Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2023 or September 2024
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.
Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.
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