WGS 3330 Activism and Social Change

This course critically examines the notion and practices of “activism” that are framed around contemporary issues that call for “social change” such as inequality, violence, loss of livelihoods, educational access, forced migration, lack of health and healthcare, environmental justice, discrimination and law, and globalization. Using a social justice framework to explore dynamics of race, gender and class, the course will examine case studies of community activism and advocacy to understand the interconnected systems of inequality and ways to challenge them. Key questions that inform this course are: What are the social, political, economic, ecological and cultural conditions that give rise to social activism and movements? How have marginalized groups historically organized for political and social justice? How do these movements affect political processes and institutions? The course will explore possibilities to engage with local community-based work and advocacy.
Credits: 3.0