SO 230 Social Movements & Collective Action

When groups want to affect social change but even traditional demo-cratic means (lobbying, voting, etc.) have failed, what are their options? How effective are these options in different circumstances? When has a social movement or form of collective action been successful? Would you say the environmental movement has been successful? The women's movement? The simplicity movement? In this course, we will explore why social movements and collective action are so common, even in democratic states, as a means for redressing grievances. We will look at the origins, circumstances, consequences, and competing theories of riots, crazes, panics, reforms and revolutionary movements. This is a course for anyone interested in how significant, systematic social change happens, or doesn't happen.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Take SO-101

Course Types

ND

Distribution

ND,SS

Offered

At the Discretion of the Dept