SOC_ P Social Movements and Political Ideaology

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About Course

This class is offered on Tuesday evenings beginning Tuesday May 27.2025 and ends on July 22, 2025. Grades will be available from July 20, 2025 through August 1, 2025

Course Description:  

This course explores political ideology and the evolution of social justice advocacy, tracing its roots from grassroots organizing to today’s digital movements. Students will investigate how social media reshapes political ideology, amplifies voices, and challenges systems of oppression. Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and hands-on media analysis, learners will explore the power, pitfalls, and future of online advocacy.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

– Analyze the impact of social media on modern social movements.

– Identify the intersection of oppression, power, and privilege within activism.

– Evaluate case studies to determine what makes movements succeed or fail.

– Apply media advocacy strategies to real-world political issues.

– Understand the ideological underpinnings of movements past and present.



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What Will You Learn?

  • - Analyze the impact of social media on modern social movements.
  • - Identify the intersection of oppression, power, and privilege within activism.
  • - Evaluate case studies to determine what makes movements succeed or fail.
  • - Apply media advocacy strategies to real-world political issues.
  • - Understand the ideological underpinnings of movements past and present.

Course Content

Week 1
Week-by-Week Breakdown Week 1: Introduction to Political Ideology - Overview of political ideologies (liberalism, socialism, conservatism, anarchism, neoliberalism, feminism, womanism, communism, theocracy, democracy, oligarchy, corpocracy, Pride, etc.) - History of social movements: Civil Rights, Labor, Anti-Apartheid - Discussion: What makes a movement successful?

  • writing submissions on topics discussed

Week 2
Week 2: Foundations of Social Justice and Advocacy - Definitions of equity, justice, power, privilege, and oppression - Introduction to critical race theory, intersectionality, and feminist theory - Reading: bell hooks, Angela Davis, Paulo Freire To enrich **Week 2: Foundations of Social Justice and Advocacy** in your course, here are insightful video resources on bell hooks, Angela Davis, and Paulo Freire: bell hooks - Who Was: bell hooks Encyclopaedia Britannica – A concise overview of her life and work. - Remembering the Life and Legacy of bell hooks"** – A tribute highlighting her contributions to feminism and cultural criticism. - Becoming bell hooks" (PBS) – Becoming bell hooks - A comprehensive documentary exploring her life, philosophy, and impact. Angela Davis - Angela Davis: Freedom Is a Constant Struggle" – A keynote address discussing her activism and ongoing fight for justice. - Angela Davis - A Revolutionary Roadmap for Building a Better Future" – Insights into her vision for societal change. - Angela Davis Facts | Untold Black History Stories"** – A brief overview of her life and activism. Paulo Freire - Paulo Freire's Life, Work and Pedagogical Philosophy – An exploration of his educational theories and their implications - Paulo Freire's Philosophy of Education: Key Concepts – A detailed look at his critical pedagogy principles - Paulo Freire - An Incredible Conversation – His last public interview, offering personal insights into his philosophy

Week 3
Week 3: The Digital Turn – From Streets to Screens - How technology reshaped activism (Organizing for America, Acorn, Occupy Wall Street) - Evolution of media and Organizing as a tool for resistance and visibility - Videos: Barack Obama, Bertha Lewis, Priscilla from occupy Wall Street

Week 4
Week 4: Social Media 101 for Activists - Tools and platforms: TikTok, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, Facebook - Hashtag power: #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, #FreePalestine - Students Choose a movement

Week 5
Week 5: Case Study – Black Movements - Origins, leadership, goals, tactics, and backlash - Media framing and counternarratives (e.g., All Lives Matter anti DEI) - Group discussion and analysis

Week 6
Week 6: Power, Privilege, and Access - Who has access to technology? - The digital divide and its impact on advocacy - Algorithmic bias, censorship, and misinformation - Mid term: Choose a movement, discussion

Week 7 Mid term assignment discussion

Week 8
Week 7: Women’s Issues - Social media echo chambers and radicalization - The rise of digital fascism and alt-right movements - Reading: Joan Donovan, Media Manipulation and Disinformation Online - Femmes, studs and non binary

Week 9
Week 8: Youth Activism and Digital Organizing - How Gen Z mobilizes - Case study: March for Our Lives, Climate Strikes, and TikTok activism - Guest speaker : A youth organizer or digital campaigner, The Young Feminist Party

Week 10
Week 9: Memes, Humor, and Pop Culture as Political Tools - The role of humor, parody, and cultural references in resistance - Workshop: Design a meme that conveys a political message - Analysis: “Culture jamming” and viral resistance

Week 11
Week 10: International Movements and Global Solidarity - Case studies: DR Congo, Sudan, Haiti, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, end SARS (Nigeria), Hong Kong protests, Iran’s #WomenLifeFreedom - How global movements influence each other - Challenges of organizing across borders and cultures

Week 12
Week 11: Ethics and the Dark Side of Digital Advocacy - Slacktivism vs. real-world impact - Surveillance, data collection, and the co-opting of movements - Corporate social responsibility or performative allyship?

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