SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
SYA 4930 (133C), Fall 2017
Psychology 0130
Tuesdays, Periods 5-6 (11:45-1:40pm)
Thursdays, Period6 (12:50 -1:40pm)
Kendal L. Broad, Ph.D.Office Hours:
(352) 273-0389, (email) Mondays, 11:30-12:30pm
Office:USTLER 301(office) Weds, 11:30-1:30pm
“Social movements are conscious, concerted and sustained efforts by ordinary people to change some aspect of their society by using extra-institutional means.” (Goodwin and Jasper, 2015, pg. 3).
“It is only when people organize that change for the better is possible. Change can’t and doesn’t just come from the top. It must also come from the bottom, from us.” (Bobo, Kendall and Max, 2010, pg. 2).
“Many times scholars and activists talk past one another, scholars want the ‘big picture’ and develop a conceptual vocabulary to bring that picture into focus while activists address immediate concerns and rely on experiential knowledge to make decisions about issues and strategies.” (Valocchi, 2010, pg. 1).
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This will not be just your everyday lecture course. In this course, we will learn about social movements (as defined above) by examining what it takes to create and sustain one – and we will do so through the active-learning of creating a social movement organization (guided by multiple assignments). To help sort out the best way to do so, this course will take seriously Valocchi’s (2010) observation (see above) that scholars and activists tend to talk past each other. Thus the readings for class will be from both scholars and activists. Class participants will read and discuss the interdisciplinary (mostly sociological) research and theory about social movements in Goodwin and Jasper’s Social Movements Reader, including readings about the Women’s movement(s), Occupy Wall Street, Radical Islamic activists, student activism, Anti-Apartheid movement, sexual assault movements, and more. At the same time, we will read and discuss one example of an activist training manual (Organizing for Social Change) to learn how activist’s describe and implement organized social change efforts. These readings will guide discussions and decisions of the class about how to create a social movement organization to address a relevant issue today. Throughout the semester, participants of this course will engage these questions (along with a few more): When and why do social movements occur? Who joins or supports movements? Who remains in movements, who drops out, and why? How are movements organized? What do movements do? How do movements interact with other players? Why do movements decline? What changes do movements bring about? In the end, participants will come away from the course knowing the research about social movements and key aspects necessary to actually organize collective action for social change.
NOTE: Though I will try to remain as faithful as possible to this syllabus, I reserve the right to make changes, as long as they are announced in advance in class or via the class email list.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the scholarship about social movements and activism, and the opportunity to take up the critical question of how to apply such knowledge. By the end of the semester students should be able to:
- Explain different approaches to theorizing social movements.
- Outline key questions about social movements and how scholars and activists have answered such questions thus far.
- Detail the key aspects of creating, organizing and implementing a social movement organization (according to both scholars and activists)
- Discuss many examples of different social movements and how they work.
- Use key concepts from current research about social movements to explain their dynamics, but also to talk in an informed way about how to apply such concepts to actual social change work.
- Think more carefully and talk in a more complex way about being an activist and creating social change.
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GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
ACADEMIC ETIQUETTE: Class will begin promptly each day. Because this is a course designed to engage active-learning, regular attendance is expected and assignments are designed accordingly. [No attendance will be taken, but assignments will be done in class and only those attending can turn them in]. Please remember that arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to the class. Because this is a course designed to be interactive, respect for opinions voiced in class is essential and I expect everyone to treat each other courteously. In order for us to learn from each other, we have to allow each other to make mistakes, and to offer unpopular positions for debate. However, name-calling and other forms of verbal harassment will not be tolerated and will result in being asked to leave the class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Members of this course are expected to comply with the Honor Code of the University of Florida. The Dean of Students Office provides an online description of the Student Honor Code ( including the honor pledge, a list of violations of the student honor code, and a list of possible sanctions. In this course, plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in failing the course and other disciplinary action. In all instances, you must do your own work. There is no excuse for plagiarism, or for submitting another's work, ideas, or wording as your own. This includes using direct quotes from online sources without citation or submitting a paper you bought but did not write. Ignorance is not an excuse. Please be aware that there are various anti-plagiarism techniques available for use by University of Florida faculty that enables faculty members to determine if research papers have been plagiarized. There is a difference between plagiarism and collaboration. Collaboration, for purposes of this class, is the act of discussing ideas with classmates, debating issues, and examining readings from the class together so that each of you arrives at your own independent thought. Collaboration in this class is encouraged.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability with the Disability Resource Center, located at 0001 Building 0020 -Reid Hall ( ; Voice 352-392-8565; Fax, 352-392-8570). Please notify me within the first two weeks of class about any accommodations needed for the course. Late notification may cause the requested accommodation to be unavailable.
EXTRA COURSE FEES:There are no additional fees for this course.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES: Your well-being is important to the University of Florida. The U Matter, We Care initiative is committed to creating a culture of care on our campus by encouraging members of our community to look out for one another and to reach out for help if a member of our community is in need. If you or a friend is in distress, please contact so that the U Matter, We Care Team can reach out to the student in distress. A nighttime and weekend crisis counselor is available by phone at 352-392-1575. The U Matter, We Care Team can help connect students to the many other helping resources available including, but not limited to, Victim Advocates, Housing staff, and the Counseling and Wellness Center. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES: The following are academic resources that may be helpful for completing this course:
E-learning technical support, 352-392-4357 (select option 2) or email to .
Library support, Various ways to receive assistance with respect to using the libraries or finding resources
Teaching Center, Broward Hall, 392-2010 or 392-6420. General study skills and tutoring. center.ufl.edu/
Writing Studio, 3012 Tigert Hall, 846-1138. Please take advantage of the University’s writing studio before turning in your assignments.The studio helps with brainstorming,
formatting, and writing papers.
COURSE EVALUATIONS: Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing evaluations at Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION AND STUDY-TIME: This class depends on everyone’s active participation and thoughtful discussion. Therefore, while attendance is not required,it is verystrongly recommended. In-class assignments and reading notes will not receive credit if a person is not in class on the day it is assigned or discussed. In addition to attending class, please come prepared to engage with the material and to participate in the class discussion. Before class you should complete the readings and think critically about their application to topic of the day. Please note, university courses are designed such that every hour in class is expected to be accompanied by at least 3 hours of studyoutside of class.
PARTICIPATION ASSIGNMENTS (10 points each/100 points total possible, 33% of final grade): Ten times during the semester you will be expected to do a short participation-related assignment. There will be two types of these assignments. Please Note:Each person will have one opportunity to turn in a late participation assignment – no questions asked. To do so, please use the attached “coupon” (see last page of schedule). Further details provided in class.
Assignments – Eight times during the semester you will be expected to complete a short assignment related to class material of the day/week. Topics for these assignments will be announced in class. These will be assignments designed to facilitate active learning as the class implements the ideas in the readings and designs a social movement organization.
Reading notes – Twice during the semester you will be expected to present key ideas about the readings to the class (in a group, with one PowerPoint slide per reading and one potential exam question) and turn in an individual set (each person turns in their own set) of reading notes (1 single-spaced page) about the day’s readings. These notes will be due on the day the reading is discussed in class (Please turn them in on Elearning).
EXAM 1 (100 points possible, 33% of the final grade): There will be an in-class exam on Thursday, October 12th. It will cover the material from the first part of the course. Exam 1 will be a combination of multiple choice, definition, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and essay questions.
EXAM 2 (100 points possible, 33% of the final grade):There will be a take-homeessay exam distributed on Tuesday, December 5thand due on Monday, December 11that 11am (on Elearning).
Please see last page of syllabus for further grading information
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ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
May I take my exam late? Late exams will only be accepted/arranged when students face documented circumstances beyond his or her control.
May I take an incomplete in the course? The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences states that an incomplete can “only be given when a student has completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade and has been unable to complete the course requirements because of documented circumstances beyond his or her control” (see also Undergraduate catalog under “Grades/ Grading Policy”). An “Incomplete” (or “I” grade) can only be assigned before the final exam/final paper of the course.
REQUIRED READING
GJGoodwin, Jeff and James M. Jasper, 2015. The Social
Movements Reader, Third Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
BKM Bobo, Kim and Jackie Kendall, Steve Max, 2010. Organizing
for Social Change: Midwest Academy Manual for Activists.
The Forum Press.
In addition, the required reading will include articles and book chapters
listed on syllabus below during the semester (All such readings will be available
electronically via pdf files viaElearning).
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Tues., Aug. 22ndINTRODUCTION/DEFINING SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Syllabus
GJ, Introduction, Pgs. 3-7
Thurs. Aug. 24thWHEN AND WHY DO SOCIAL MOVEMENTS OCCUR?
GJ, Part II Introduction, Pgs. 9-12; Readings 2, 3, 4, 5, Pgs. 13-52
Tues., Aug. 29thPROBLEM IDENTIFICATION – Assignment 1
BKM, Readings 1 and 2, Pg. 1-20
Thurs., Aug. 31st CHOOSING AN ISSUE - Assignment 2
BKM, Reading 3, Pgs. 21-28
Tues., Sept. 5th ACTIVIST EXPERIENCE – Guest speaker(s)
GJ, Part III Introduction, Pgs. 53-58, Reading 7 and 8, Pgs. 65-82
Thurs., Sept. 7thWHO JOINS OR SUPPORTS MOVEMENTS?
GJ, Reading 6, Pgs. 59-64, Reading 9, Pgs. 83-100
Tues., Sept. 12thCUTTING THE ISSUES -Assignment 3
Review Checklist for Choosing an Issue, Pg. 27
Thurs., Sept. 14thWHO REMAINS IN MOVEMENTS, AND WHO DROPS OUT? GJ, Part IV Introduction, Pgs. 101-104, Readings 10, 11, 12, Pgs. 105-126
Tues., Sept. 19thDOCUMENTARY: United in Anger, Part 1
GJ, Reading 14, Pgs. 143-152
Thurs., Sept. 21st WHO REMAINS IN MOVEMENTS, WHO DROPS OUT?
AND WHY? / DOCUMENTARY: United in Anger, Part 2
GJ, Reading 24, Pgs. 254-265
Tues., Sept. 26thTHEORIES OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Valocchi, Chapter 2 (pdf in Elearning)
Thurs., Sept. 28thRESEARCH PLAN
BKM, Reading 13, Pgs. 139-158,
Recommended: Sen, Rinku. 2003. Stir It Up: Lessons in Community Organizing and Advocacy. Chardon Press. Chapter 6 (Ebook)
Tues., Oct. 3rdRESEARCH REPORT – Assignment 4
Recommended: Sen, Chapter 9 (Ebook)
Thurs., Oct. 5th REVIEW
Tues., Oct. 10thTHEORIES OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, part II (possible guest speaker)
Thurs., Oct. 12thEXAM 1
ORGANIZING & MOBILIZING
Tues., Oct. 17thHOW ARE MOVEMENT ORGANIZED?
GJ, Part V, Introduction, Pgs. 155-158, Readings 16, 18, 19, Pgs. 159 -.
Thurs., Oct. 19thHOW ARE MOVEMENTS ORGANIZED?
BKM, Reading 6, Pgs. 61-68, Reading 9, Pgs. 97-108
Tues., Oct. 24thSTRATEGY AND TACTICS – Assignment 5
BKM, Readings 4 and 5, Pgs. 29-60, BKM, Readings 7 and 8, Pgs. 69-96
Thurs., Oct. 26thWHAT DO MOVEMENTS DO?
GJ, Part VI, Introduction, Pgs. 213-218, Readings 20, 21, 22, 23, Pgs. 214-253
Tues., Oct. 31stRECRUITMENT, LEADERSHIP AND MEETINGS
BKM, Readings 10, 11, and 12, Pgs. 109-138
Thurs., Nov. 2ndMESSAGING & FRAMING
GJ, Reading 13, Pgs. ; Sen, part of Chapter 3, Pgs. 67-78
Recommended: Sen, Chapter 8, Pgs. 148-164
Tues., Nov. 7thUSING THE MEDIA – Assignment 6
BKM, Reading 14, Pgs. 159-174; TBA
Thurs., Nov. 9thHOW DO MOVEMENTS INTERACT WITH OTHER PLAYERS?
GJ, Part VII Introduction, Pgs. 283-286, Readings 27, 28, Pgs. 333-352.
Tues., Nov. 14thONLINE ORGANIZING
BKM, Reading 15, Pgs. 175-188
Carty, Victoria. 2015. Social Movements and New Technology. Westview Press. Chapter 2 (Ebook)
Thurs., Nov. 16thSOCIAL CONTROL & COUNTERMOVEMENTS
GJ, Readings 33 and 34, Pgs. 363-378
Tues., Nov. 21stTACTICAL INVESTIGATIONS – Assignment 7
BKM, Reading 17, Pgs. 199-230
Thurs., Nov. 23rdNO CLASS – UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY
Tues., Nov. 28thFUNDRAISING & ADMINISTRATION
BKM, Reading 19, Pgs. 241-254 and Reading 23, Pgs. 297-306
Recommended: BKM, Readings 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25
Thurs., Nov. 30th WORKING FOR THE LONG HAUL – Assignment 8
BKM, Reading 26, Pgs. 357-364
Tues., Dec. 5thWHY DO MOVEMENTS DECLINE?/
WHAT CHANGES DO MOVEMENTS BRING ABOUT?
GJ, Part VIII, Introduction, Pgs. 343-346, Readings 31 and 32, Pgs. 347-362
GJ, Part IX Introduction 379-382, Reading 35, 36. 39, Pgs. 383 -
Mon., Dec. 11thTAKE HOME EXAM DUE – 11am on Elearning
Milkman, Ruth. 2016. A New Political Generation: Millennials and the Post-
2008 Wave of Protest. American Sociological Review, 1-31.
NOTE: Final grades will be available on ISIS on December 20th
IMPORTANT COUPON
• This coupon is good for turning in one participation assignment late.
• This coupon is only good during Fall semester of 2017 for Social Movements,
SYA 4930 (133C).
• This coupon may only be used for two weeks after the participation paper is
originally due.
• If the coupon is not used during the semester, it is worth 5 points extra credit (only if
it is turned in with the take-home exam).
NAME: ______
PARTICIPATION ASSIGNMENT NUMBER:______
TOPIC:______
ORIGINAL DUE DATE OF PARTICIPATION PAPER:______
DATE TURNED IN:______
This coupon must be stapled to the participation paper and turned in with it. Please turn in hard copy to Dr. Broad
GRADE INFORMATION
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
SYA 4930 (133C), Fall 2017
The following chart should be used to keep track of your grade in the class. Please be aware that the level of effort you put into the class, may not correspond to the quality of your work (which is the basis of your grades for assignments). To earn a good grade, you will be expected to do the work and meet the expectations for good quality work outlined in course assignment guidelines and discussed in class. There are 300 points possible in the class.
Grade % Points Translation
A 94 - 100 % 279 - 300outstanding
A- 90 - 93% 270 - 284excellent
B+ 87 - 89% 261 - 269very good
B 84 - 86% 252 - 260good
B- 80 - 83% 240 - 251nice work
C+ 77 - 79 % 231 - 239requirements done well
C 74 - 76 % 222 - 230completed requirements
C- 70 - 73% 210 - 221barely done requirements
D+ 67 - 69 % 201 - 209requirements not fulfilled
D 64 - 66% 192 - 200poor work
D- 60 - 63 % 180 - 191very poor work
E below 60 % 179 and belowfailing/inappropriate
Please note: UF grading policy for assigning grade points is:
PARTICIPATION ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment 1______Assignment 6______
Assignment 2______Assignment 7______
Assignment 3______Assignment 8______
Assignment 4 ______Reading Notes 1______
Assignment 5______Reading Notes 2______
PARTICIPATION ASSIGNMENTS TOTAL (100 points possible)______
EXAM 1 (100 points possible) ______
EXAM 2 (100 points possible) ______
TOTAL = ______
TOTAL______= ______%
TOTAL POSSIBLE 300
NOTE: Final grades will be available on ISIS on December 20th