Global Social Revolutions
Schools of Public Engagement: Social Sciences
CRN: 15725
Credits: 3
Since the 2010-11 Arab Spring, the 21st century has been characterized by global social revolutions. These grassroots, leaderless movements mark a new model of revolution and a new era in “people power.” We study the cultural, political, and economic factors behind these social upheavals as well as the use of new technologies, social media, and aesthetic devices. What is the role of social revolution in shaping a more equitable world? What are the connections between distinct protest movements, and how do strategies and tropes circulate transnationally? Central themes include global capitalism, neoliberalism, systematic racism, gender-based oppression, authoritarianism, social inequities, memory, collectivity, and solidarity, as well as the role of youth and police violence in protest movements. Case studies include the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, #MeToo, Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Movement, Chile’s Social Uprising, Black Lives Matter, and the current feminist revolution unfolding in Iran. We read theoretical texts by John Locke, Hannah Arendt, Thomas Piketty, and others, and we study numerous genres, including testimonial accounts, literature, film, political tracts, digital art, protest song, and street art.
College: Schools of Public Engagement (NS)
Department: Social Sciences (NSOS)
Campus: New York City (GV)
Course Format: Seminar (R)
Modality: In-Person
Max Enrollment: 21
Add/Drop Deadline: September 11, 2023 (Monday)
Online Withdrawal Deadline: November 19, 2023 (Sunday)
Seats Available: Yes
Status: Open*
* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 8:00pm EDT 5/28/2023