Learning objectives
At the end of the course, it is expected students to be able to:
- define the concept of social and political movement;
- distinguish different types of movements, on the basis of their demands, scope, internal characteristics and networks of relationships, and modes of action;
- identify, define and historically contextualize the different perspectives for the study of social and political movements.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
In the first part of the course, some basic sociological concepts will be reviewed. This is in order to clearly distinguish movements from other types of actions (collective and others), groups and institutions.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to historically contextualize both the different theoretical perspectives, and the interpretations given within social sciences, for the study of collective action phenomena, as well as the changing forms, methods and claims of such actions, by taking into account of different social and political contexts. Classical approaches will be presented (Resource Mobilization Theory, Political Opportunity Structures, New Social Movements, etc), but also some more recent contributions.
By putting the notions acquired in previous lessons into practice, the third part of the course will be dedicated to investigate some cases of movements, with a particular focus on the environmental and climate ones. Finally, space will also be dedicated to some local movements and to the analysis of their claims and struggles.
The frontal lessons - always intended as interactive discussions with the class - will be supported by films/documentaries concerning some political and social movements.
Full programme
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Bibliography
During the course we recommend this volume as an in-depth reading:
Katia Pilati (2018). Movimenti sociali e azioni di protesta. Il Mulino, Bologna.
Non-attending students are reminded to check the teaching material available and the information provided by the teacher through the Elly platform.
A bibliography on the topics covered during the course will also be prepared and made available separately, in which students will choose an in-depth topic and one related text to prepare the written paper on which the exam will focus.
The thematic bibliography for further study and the course materials, including the slides, will be downloadable from the Elly 2021 platform, by entering the course website for "Cultures, Practices and Languages of Political and Social Movements". http://elly2021.dusic.unipr.it.
To download the slides, one needs to register for the online course.
Teaching methods
The course uses and integrates different teaching methods: frontal lessons; interactive lessons; case study; viewing, commenting and discussing documentaries.
Assessment methods and criteria
The preparation of the exam, for both attending and non-attending students, consists of a general preparatory work (study of the bibliography of the course and of the topics covered in class) and a written thematic study (article / short essay).
For the thematic study:
For the exam, students will have to write a short text (article / essay) that deals with one of the topics dealt with during the lessons using verified and critically analysed sources. The text must be drawn up following the normal rules of an academic writing: footnotes, bibliography / sitography (only the one directly used), textual citations from other authors (where used) enclosed in quotation marks, mention of the sources used , etc. The article, of min 12,000 and max 20,000 characters (spaces included and bibliographic references excluded) will have to be sent by e-mail to the teacher at least 10 days before the exam and will be discussed orally during the exam. Exclusively for attending students, thematic studies for small groups (2-3 people max) can also be agreed as long as the individual written contribution by each participant is clearly indicated in the text (the length of the text must be proportional to the number of people involved).
The short article / essay, which forms the basis of the exam, will be judged on the basis of the following criteria:
- consistency with the topics of the course;
- originality;
- ability to study, problematize and critically discuss the chosen subject;
- breadth and appropriateness of bibliographic and other references with respect to the thematic bibliography used and the course materials;
- presentation skills and quality of writing.
The oral exam consists of an interactive discussion around the contents of the text.
The student who has not carried out the research and in-depth analysis required, or who does not demonstrate an adequate understanding of the problem analyzed or the underlying themes of the course, will be deemed insufficient. The student who has diligently carried out the research and personal study and who is able to appropriately handle the concepts and terminology of the discipline will be deemed sufficient or fairly good (18-23 / 30). The student who shows a greater capacity for elaboration and critical analysis will be deemed good or very good (24-27 / 30). The student who has explored the subject in a more in-depth and autonomous way and by verifying the sources will be deemed excellent (28 / 30 and more).
The evaluation will be communicated at the end of the oral exam itself.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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