Social Movements and Protest

From labour strikes and climate protests to neo-fascist and nationalist rallies, citizens everywhere are on the move. Social movements shape our world, not only through the pursuit of impactful changes, but also through struggles that seek to resist change. This one-week summer course explores how citizens organize, resist, and react to social issues across the political spectrum. Drawing on sociology and related disciplines, the course introduces students to the study of social movements, protest, and activism in contemporary societies. Working from a global comparative perspective, we will examine the emergence, expansion and impacts of a variety of social movements as well as reactionary counter-movements. Through a mix of interactive lectures, engagement with case studies, and foundational readings, students will address key questions such as: What motivates people to join social movements? How do movements sustain themselves? When and why do social movements go into decline? 

By the end of the course, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how social movements and counter-movements interact to shape societies, thus revealing the complex interplay between activism, resistance, and the broader forces of social and political transformation.