Social Movements in the Global South

Course dates

7 September 2022 – 16 November 2022

Registration period

1 August 2022 – 24 August 2022

Coordinating university

University of Helsinki

Instructors

Saila-Maria Saaristo
Elisa Tarnaala

Credits

5 ECTS

Course dates: 7.9. - 16.11.2022
Registration dates: 1.8. - 24.8.2022
Coordinating university: University of Helsinki
Responsible teacher: Elisa Tarnaala (if.iknisleh@alaanrat.asile) & Saila-Maria Saaristo (if.iknisleh@otsiraas.alias)
Credits: 5 ECTS
Course offered: 3/3

Course summary

The course has its main focus on the Global South, given that it will examine different kinds of social movements in the Global South. Through case studies, diverse problematics related to social justice and environmentally and socially sustainable development in the Global South will be explored and discussed, as well as how the civil society actors in these countries have sought to address these challenges through collective action.

The course objectives are

1) to acquire or refresh concepts and tools useful for the analysis of social movements (such as citizenship, civil society, domination and resistance, mobilization and protest, enviromental justice, decoloniality, feminisms from the South, new social movements).

2) to apply and critically evaluate the use of these concepts and tools to cases in the context of Global South that may help illustrate the issues raised by social movements and possible alternatives

3) to practice and improve key academic generic skills, such as critical analytic skills, argumentation and oral and written communication skills.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course engaged students should be able to:

• Describe and explain key theories and concepts related to the study of social movements, with a focus on theoretical concepts that are especially relevant to the study of social movements of the Global South
• Describe and compare key thematic areas of social movements in the Global South, such as: protest movements and movements against repression; feminist movements; environmental movements; student movements; peace and human rights movements; indigenous movements; and urban social movements
• Apply the concepts to analyse social movements
• Have the capacity to make oral presentations and write academic texts on social movements
• Discuss epistemological challenges of studying social movements in the Global South.

Learning methods

This course bases itself on constructivist theories of learning, promoting opportunities for active learning, including reflecting upon the contents learnt and how they link to the knowledge the student has previously acquired. The course combines a variety of teaching methods. Online lecturing and reading materials are included to pass on discipline-related content, but other learning activities will be integrated to make the learning process more active.

Each session will comprise of 45-minute lecture in which the teacher will present the core contents of the session. To some sessions, activists or scholars from the Global South will be invited to give their special insight on the theme of the session. There will be 45-minute slot for discussion and reflection on the materials, concepts and cases of each session. The students will be separated into peer groups and the teacher will give each group a theme to prepare.

In addition, the student will write a short reflection of the week's readings, according to the instructions provided by the teachers, and give peer feedback on the reflections of two of their colleagues in the peer group. The peer group activities will help the students to understand and analyse the contents, to link them to their previous knowledge and experiences.

Study materials

The course material and reading will be provided through the course Moodle page. In addition, complementary readings will be provided. During the lectures, videos or other online material, such as open online resources will be integrated to these sessions.

Assessment

The methods for feedback and assessment include 1) written reflections; 2) group discussions; 3) peer feedback, and 4) essay. The targets 1, 2 and 3 are assessed on a yes/no basis, meaning that to complete the course it is compulsory to submit all the written reflections, all peer feedback and to participate in 80% of the group discussions. The final grade for the course will come from the final essay. In the final essay, the student will be required to select one social movement case and analyse it applying the concepts learned during the course.

Course schedule

Date	Weekday	Time	Session
7.9.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 1: Introduction
14.9.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 2: Theoretical orientations
21.9.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 3: Social movements, protest and repression
28.9.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 4: Feminism from the South and women's movements
5.10.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 5: Student movements
12.10.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 6: Indigenous / Peasant movements
19.10.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 7: Peace and human rights movements
2.11.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 8: Urban social movements
9.11.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 9: Social movements, revolutions, and regime change
16.11.2022	Wednesday	14-16	Session 10: Course wrap-up and discussion

Additional information

Maximum number of students: 30

The students should have concluded their bachelor level studies in development studies, social and cultural anthropology, political history, political science, or in related discipline within Social Sciences, and be currently undertaking their Master's studies.

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