Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0147 - Modern Social Movements

Inertia and the status quo dominate even the most modern societies. So what makes change happen? What makes an idea become a cause and a cause become a movement? In this class, we will examine major social movements in modern America. The Labor Movement. The Women's Suffrage Movement. The Civil Rights Movement. The Vietnam Anti-War Movement. The Women's Movement. The Gay Rights Movement. Occupy Wall Street. What did they have in common? What made each distinct? What strategic moves and mistakes did their leaders make? And how does history frame these movements in retrospect? This writing-intensive class, last taught in Fall 2012, will include several short (1-2 pp.) essays and two papers. Readings will include The Social Movements Reader; How People Get Power, and The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement. Readings will also include a packet of excerpts from histories, memoirs, speeches, and letters by movement participants.

Power, Community and Social Justice Writing and Research Multiple Cultural Perspectives In this class students are expected to spend between 6-8 hours weekly in preparation and work outside of class time.