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Faculté des sciences sociales | Faculty of Social Sciences
SCS1150 A Introduction to Studying the Social Sciences
Professor Kathleen Rodgers
Fall 2011

Social Movement Activism in National and Global Contexts
Course Schedule :

Monday 8:30-10:00
Thursday 10:30-11:00
SMD 503

Professor’s Availability:

Wednesday, 11:30-12:30
Office : DMS 8160

Assistants:

Stephanie McAnany [e-mail] On Virtual Campus:

Yes

Email :

[e-mail]*

*Any question sent by email should receive an answer within two working days or at the next class if it occurs in the next 48 hours after reception of the email. Note that the professor has the right to not answer an email if the language used is not appropriate. DO NOT REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT DUE DATES, MEETINGS OR EXAM TIMES BY
EMAIL. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN CLASS, ON THE SYLLABUS AND ON VIRTUAL CAMPUS. Such emails will not receive a response.

OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
The goal of this course is to develop basic skills for facilitating the acquisition of personal and discipline-based knowledge pertaining to Social Sciences. Students will learn to locate pertinent information both in the library and through computer-based resources. In addition, students will develop the capacity to understand the structure of a text, draw out the author's hypotheses and discuss the value of the argument proposed. The course will also focus on developing critical reading skills and refining skills in written and oral communication.
COURSE THEME
Social movements are agents of transformative social change which influence public policy, reform institutions, change public opinion and contribute to processes of democratization.
Even when they fail to bring about substantive changes, activists inspire debate, transform personal behaviors and bring about changes in values and culture. Because of their profound impact, social movements are a central preoccupation of sociological theorizing and analysis.
This course will provide an introduction to some of the key sociological concepts, theory and research involved in the study of social movements. We will focus on case studies of historical and contemporary North American and global activism, including the civil rights movement, the women's movement, gay/lesbian activism, environmentalism, the animal rights movement and the global justice movement. We will also expand our focus to nondemocratic contexts in order to understand how these dynamics function in different contexts. Our goal in this course will be to understand some of the ways social movements act to realize their goals but also some of the dilemmas they face in their projects of social change.
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GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES
Enable the student to reflect on and develop a critical perspective on social phenomena. By examining a specific theme and its causes, consequences and the roles of the players involved, the student will be encouraged to reflect on this theme through individual and group activities.
SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES
Develop written and oral communication skills in the student’s primary language. Introduce the student to contemporary issues in the discipline of study. Develop the student’s abilities to analyse and synthesize.
Develop the student’s research capabilities to:
- Carry out a simple research assignment using the appropriate tools
- Find the necessary information
- Work independently
- Develop the student’s capacity to dialogue with others.
- Use appropriate citation methods
COURSE MATERIALS
There are two mandatory sets of reading materials:
1. Textbook: Social Movements by Suzanne Staggenborg (available at the University bookstore) 2. Coursepack: SCS 1150 Social Movements theme (available from Rytec Printing, 404
Dalhousie St.)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Students are expected to attend all seminars, have completed readings for each class, be ready to discuss them and to hand all assignments in on time.
2. Students are required to meet the professor twice during the semester: to discuss and finalize the topic for the term paper topic in weeks 4/5 to approve the term paper outline and reference list in weeks 7/8 there is also an optional meeting for the oral presentation in weeks 10/11
You will be asked to sign-up for the meetings. DO NOT miss your appointment. It will not be rescheduled.
3. Please consult Virtual Campus regularly. Important information will be posted here regarding assignments, seminars and due dates. Powerpoint presentations from class lectures will be posted before the final exam review.
4. There are five graded assignments:
a. Text Summary: In this assignment you will be asked to summarize a text. This text has been selected by the professor and additional details will be provided in class.
b. Outline and annotated reference list: For this assignment you will use the sample provided in class to develop an outline of your final paper. The outline will include an annotated reference list of no less than 6 appropriate and scholarly references.
Additional details to be provided in class.
c. Term paper: Building on your outline, the term paper assignment is a researchbased paper of approximately 2,000-2,500 words in which you are expected to make
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an argument based on the information you have collected. Your topic must be approved by the professor in weeks 4/5. You will be provided with additional details in class.
d. Oral Presentation: In the last month of the class you will conduct a brief presentation on your paper. More details on the 15-minute oral presentation will be provided in class.
e. Final Exam: A final exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions will be scheduled during the official exam period. The questions will be based on all class materials, lectures and readings. The date of the exam will be announced later in the semester.
Components of Final Mark
Evaluation format

Weight

Date Due

Summary
Outline and annotated reference list
Term paper, 2,0002,500 words
15-minute Oral presentation Final exam

15%
20 %

October 6, 2011
November 3, 2011

20%

November 17, 2011

10%

Weeks 11-13

30 %

Examination Period
December 9-22

Attendance and participation 5%

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COURSE OUTLINE
DATE
Week 1
Sept. 8

TOPIC
Introduction to the Course

READINGS

Week 2
Sept. 12-15

What are Social Movements?

Staggenborg, Ch1

Campus Tour (15 Sept, meet in class)
Week 3
Sept. 19-22

Social Movements and Social Change
Library Presentation (26 SEPT): VNR 2008
Workshop: How to read/ How to do a summary Week 4
Sept. 26-29

Why do Social Movements Happen? Theories of social movements
Workshop: Plagiarism/Referencing and
Bibliography
Career Services Presentation

Film Clip: A Force
More Powerful
Staggenborg, Ch1
Film Clip: Eyes on the
Prize

Staggenborg, Ch2
McCarthy “Framing of
Drunk Driving”

Staggenborg, Ch 3
Week 5
Oct. 3-6

Who participates and why? Recruitment and
Participation.
Workshop: How to do an Outline

Week 6
Oct. 13

What do they do? Tactics, protest, violence, nonviolence and civil disobedience.

Meyer “Becoming an
Activist”
Film: Behind the Mask
Sharp “Nonviolent
Action”
Eppler “Transforming
Power in the Labour
Movement”

Week 7
Oct. 17-20

Social Movements and the Media: Mass Media,
Internet Organizing and New Communications.
Workshop: Steps in a written assignment

Week 8
Oct. 23-29
Week 9
Oct. 31, Nov. 3

Smith “Social
Movements and the
Media”

READING WEEK – NO CLASS
State Repression and Social Movement Activism

Walby and
Monaghan “Private
Workshop: How to do an Oral Presentation Eyes and Public
Order...”
Film: You Should have stayed at Home

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Week 10
Nov. 7-10

Staggenborg Ch 6
Globalization, transnationalization and social movements: theories and case studies

Week 11
Nov. 14-17
What do social movements achieve?
Workshop: Exam Review
Week 12
Nov. 21-24
Week 13
Nov. 28, Dec. 1
Week 14
Dec. 5-7

Klein “Bad Mood
Rising”
Film: This is What
Democracy Looks
Like
Meyer, D. “How
Social Movements
Matter”
Hari, J.“Protest
Works”

Oral Presentations
Oral Presentations
Oral Presentations
FINAL EXAM (TBD)

Exam period
DEC 8-22

MEETINGS
DATES
Week 4/5
Week 7/8
Week 10/11

TOPIC
Term Paper Topic
Outline
Presentation

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Below you will find a list of some recent and classical general references on the study of social movements. In addition to the course textbook, these will be helpful in guiding you to more specific readings in your area of interest. The texts listed deal mostly with theoretical and conceptual issues. Please consult with me if you are having difficulties finding materials.
Because this is a vast area of study I have only listed major books in the field. You should also consult journal articles. I have listed commonly used academic journals at the bottom.
Della Porta, D. (2006). Social Movements: An Introduction. Wiley Blackwell.
Ferree, M. and P. Martin. (1995). Feminist organizations: Harvest of the New Women’s
Movement. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Gamson, William. (1990). The Strategy of Social Protest. Homewood, Illinois: Dorsey Press.
Goodwin, J. & J.M. Jasper. (2009). The Social Movements Reader: Cases and Concepts
2nd ed., Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Goodwin, Jeff, J.M. Jasper, & F. Polletta. (2001). Passionate Politics: Emotions and Social
Movements: University of Chicago Press.
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McAdam, Doug. (1982). The Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
McAdam, D., S. Tarrow, & C. Tilly. (2001). The Dynamics of Contention. New York and London:
Cambridge University Press.
Meyer, D. (2007). The Politics of Protest: Social Movements in America. New York: Oxford.
Polletta, F . (2002). Freedom Is an Endless Meeting. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press.
Smith, M. (2009). Group Politics and Social Movements in Canada. Toronto: University of
Toronto Press.
Tarrow, S. (2005). The New Transnational Activism. Cambridge University Press.
Tarrow, Sidney. (2011). Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Useful Journals : American Journal of Sociology, Social Problems, Mobilization, Social
Movement Studies, Canadian Journal of Sociology, Information, Communication & Society,
Canadian Review of American Studies

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They’re there to help!
1. The Faculty’s Mentoring Centrehttp://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/mentor/eng/index.asp
The goal of the Mentoring Centre is to help students with their academic and social well being during their time at the University of Ottawa. Regardless of where a student stands academically, or how far along they are in completing their degree, the mentoring centre is there to help students continue on their path to success.
A student may choose to visit the mentoring centre for very different reasons. Younger students may wish to talk to their older peers to gain insight into programs and services offered by the University, while older student may simply want to brush up on study and time management skills or learn about programs and services for students nearing the end of their degree. In all, the Mentoring Centre offers a place for students to talk about concerns and problems that they might have in any facet of their lives. While students are able to voice their concerns and problems without fear of judgement, mentors can garner further insight in issues unique to students and find a more practical solution to better improve the services that the Faculty of Social Sciences offers, as well as the services offered by the University of
Ottawa.
2. Academic Writing Help Centre - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/
At the AWHC you will learn how to identify, correct and ultimately avoid errors in your writing and become an autonomous writer.
In working with our Writing Advisors, you will be able to acquire the abilities, strategies and writing tools that will enable you to:
Master the written language of your choice
Expand your critical thinking abilities
Develop your argumentation skills
Learn what the expectations are for academic writing
3. Career Services - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/careers/
Career Services offers various services and a career development program to enable you to recognize and enhance the employability skills you need in today's world of work.
4. Counselling Service - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/personal/
There are many reasons to take advantage of the Counselling Service. We offer:
Personal counselling
Career counselling
Study skills counselling
5. Access Service - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/access/
The Access Service acts as intermediary between students, their faculty and other University offices to ensure that the special needs of these students are addressed and that the best possible learning conditions are being offered.
6. Student Resource Centres - http://www.communitylife.uottawa.ca/en/resources.php
The Student Resource Centers aim to answer a variety of needs. See the list of centres.

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Beware of academic fraud!
Academic fraud is an act by a student that may result in a false evaluation (including papers, tests, examinations, etc.). It is not tolerated by the University. Any person found guilty of academic fraud will be subject to severe sanctions.
Here are some examples of academic fraud:
Plagiarism or cheating of any kind;
Present research data that has been falsified;
Submit a work for which you are not the author, in whole or part;
Submit the same piece of work for more than one course without the written consent of the professors concerned.
In recent years, Internet advances have made it much easier to detect plagiarism. The tools available to your professors allow them to find on the Web the exact origin of a text using just a few words.
If you believe you are at fault, it is your responsibility to consult your faculty’s calendar or the
University’s website at the following address, under the heading “Tools for Writing
Assignments”: http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/eng/writing_tools.asp
An individual who commits or attempts to commit academic fraud, or who is an accomplice, will be penalized. Here are some examples of possible sanctions:
Receive an “F” for the work or in the course in question;
Imposition of additional requirements (from 3 to 30 credits) to the program of study;
Suspension or expulsion from the Faculty.
During the last session, most individuals who committed fraud received an “F” in the course concerned and had to earn between 3 and 12 extra credits in the program of study.
You can refer to the regulations at the following address: http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/info/newsletter/fraud_e.html Policies on class attendance, language quality and late assignments
1. Class attendance and participation is required to succeed this course.
You will be judged, amongst other things, on the quality of your written language. Take all the means required to avoid spelling or grammar mistakes. You could be penalized 5 % of the value of the assignments.
2. Late submissions are not tolerated. Exceptions are made only for illness or other serious situations deemed as such by the professor. There will be a penalty for late submissions.
University regulations require all absences from exams and all late submissions due to illness to be supported by a medical certificate. The Faculty reserves the right to accept or reject the reason put forth if it is not medical. Reasons such as travel, work and errors made while reading the exam schedule are not usually accepted.
In the event of an illness or related complications, only the counseling service and the campus clinic (located at 100 Marie-Curie) may issue valid certificates to justify a delay or absence. No extensions will be granted on papers and other assignments.
Each day of late submission results in a penalty of 5% (weekends not excluded).
We advise you to notify your professor as soon as possible if a religious holiday or event forces your absence during an evaluation.
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