Critical Social Inquiry 0117 - Freedom Dreams: Civil Rights and Black Power at the Grassroots

In this course, we will examine a range of organizing struggles that took place during the "Long Civil Rights Movement." By reading scholarly articles, movement newspapers and activist interviews, we will explore critical debates and questions raised by researchers and movement veterans. Do we understand the "movement" in terms of ideologies articulated by established leaders, by determining the nature of the political climate, or by examining community traditions and conceptions of what Robin Kelley calls "Freedom Dreams"? Do we begin our exploration---in the 1950s, 1960s or perhaps sooner? Does the emergence of newly independent nations in Africa and Asia shape activist conceptions of civil rights, human rights, nonviolence, self-defense, and citizenship? How do contemporary organizers in movements against police brutality and struggles for immigrant rights draw from the lessons of these 20th century movements? This course will prepare you to develop a grounding in historical methods and conduct social movement research. Keywords: African American History, Civil Rights, Black Power, human rights, poverty

In/Justice Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.