Local and global social movements

The course is a first-cycle course. It is given as a single subject course that can be included in the Social Science Faculty’s English Language Course Package for visiting ERASMUS students within the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities.

Students should have at least 30 credits in Social Sciences or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B/English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course aims to provide knowledge and insight into sociological theories and concepts relating to social movements. Recent contributions to social movement theory will be reviewed and discussed and students will be given the opportunity to apply social movement theory to analyse a specific case consisting of a social movement of their own choice.

The course is divided into two modules:

1. Social movements: theory and empirical cases (Sociala rörelser: teori och empiriska fall), 7.5 credits
   Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U)
   This course module provides knowledge and insight into major theories and empirical cases of local and global social movements. It is based on academic texts and articles covering the development of social movements in cultural and sociological perspective. In the main, the course will focus on the nature and growth of so-called ‘new’ social movements, e.g. sex/gender-based, urban, environmental and racist/anti-racist movements, as well as contemporary movements connected to globalization and injustice.
2. Project work (Projektarbete), 7.5 credits
   Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U)
   Students will be given the opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of a social movement of their own choice, applying previously studied theories and concepts. This course module thus entails the futher elaboration of course module 1. The literature used in this part of the course is a combination of obligatory texts and texts chosen independently by students in connection with their project work.

After completing the course, the student shall have gained a comprehensive understanding of basic theories in the field of social movement studies and of the development of global as well as locally Scandinavian social movements in cultural and sociological perspective.

After completing the course, the student shall have gained the ability to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Identify major sociological theories and perspectives on social movements
• Appreciate the relevance of recent contributions to social movements theory for understanding the nature and growth of new social movements
• Comprehend the different social, cultural and political dynamics underlying the rise of new social movements locally in Scandinavia as well as globally, and the nature of the challenges these movements pose to existing forms of power

Competence and skills

• Both orally and in writing present and discuss in a theoretically-informed fashion different experiences relating to the growth and development of social movements
• Plan and carry out a minor case study of a social movement as well as analyzing the collected emperical material with the help of major theories and theoretical perspectives in the field of social movement studies

Judgement and approach

• Judge the degree to which the various major theories or theoretical perspectives can be applied to or illuminate empirical cases of social movements, as well as to suggest areas where further knowledge development is needed

Teaching is conducted both through lectures and obligatory seminars. Students are expected to actively participate in the seminars including group work sessions. Failure to attend course seminars will lead to students having to attend special extra seminars or to complete additional written assignments in order to complete the course.

Language of instruction: English.

In course module 1, the achievement of the course goals will be measured by a written take home exam to be completed individually and submitted at the end of the course module. Course module 2 will be examined through a project work that is presented orally and submitted in writing at the end of the course. The written exam and the project work may be written in either English or Swedish.

Restrictions regarding the use of generative AI are specified on the learning platform or equivalent. Students are responsible for informing themselves of the current rules for examination elements such as assignments, seminar assignments and exams in the course in question.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To pass the course, students must receive at least Pass on both course modules. A Pass with Distinction on the course as a whole requires a Pass with Distinction on both course modules. Further information on grading procedures will be given at the commencement of the course.

The course shall be subject to written evaluation. If practically feasible a discussion reviewing the course should also be held between teachers, examiners and student representatives. The minutes from this meeting are to be handed in to the Course Director. In connection with the continual updating of the course, it shall be documented how the results of evaluation work have been acted upon. A summary of previous course evaluations shall also be available online at the Learning platform.