This module will begin with the history of activism linking to the politics of change making. Social Movement Theory will be applied to historical discussions of the peasants revolt, the cooperative movement, the chartists, the suffragettes before current campaigns such as #metoo, Black Lives Matter and Poverty Truth are critically discussed (making linkages to political and human rights arguments). Global activism from Gandhi to Occupy and anti-capitalist movements will be critically evaluated with reflections and debates around legislation and voice sitting at the centre of discussion. The course will embed the historical roots of activism, develop an experiential knowledge of activism via a student campaign and build reflective learning via the assessment.

1. Students will be assessed in all learning outcomes via an essay, which is weighted at 100%. Students will be expected to incorporate learning from the module when explaining and evaluating social movement theory and differing approaches to solving poverty.

This module is delivered by blended learning using Blackboard VLE. Students will be expected to participate in several practical simulated tasks and activities and will be expected to record, reflect and offer feedback individually, in pairs and in small group settings. While the module content is grounded in theory, it is a practical skills-based module and learning elements will include the following activities:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (48)
Whole group seminars
Small group tasks and activities
Simulated activities & reflection
Module/assessment support, which may be virtual or face to face
Interactive exercises and activities via Blackboard VLE

Guided Independent study hour: (152)
Preparing for scheduled sessions, and follow up work completing case study exercises to consolidate learning
Independent study and wider reading, including researching web-based resources
Peer support & feedback
Assessment preparation

Verbal communication skills are developed throughout this module with an emphasis upon oral communication skills assessment

1. Explain key campaign messages, underpinned by social movement theory.
1 Knowledge & Understanding

2. Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving poverty and hardship.
2 Learning
4.Analysis

IT Access to internet
Recording equipment

Bassot, B., 2015. The reflective practice guide: an interdisciplinary approach to critical reflection. Routledge.

Davis, G.F., McAdam, D., Scott, W.R. and Zald, M.N. eds., 2005. Social movements and organization theory. Cambridge University Press.

Tarrow, S., 2005. The new transnational activism. Cambridge University Press.

You will be introduced to the historical roots of global and UK change making using social movement theory to critically investigate activism from an international perspective. Students will debate and discuss campaigns from Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience to #MeToo building their knowledge and understanding of activism by participating in an on-campus project. This project will involve include group presentations, individual presentations, simulated media interview and social media blogs and a reflective task.
Upon completion of this module you will have a strong sense of the global and UK historical roots of activism through to its most recent campaigns. You will have participated in an on-campus campaign, for example a Fair-trade Awareness Event and reflected on the success of that campaign.