166-085 Identities & Action: Social Movements

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally two First Year Sociology subjects.

Semester

Subject Description

This subject examines major sociological approaches to the analysis of contemporary social movements and collective mobilisation, explored with reference to post-industrial societies of North America, Europe and Australia, and to the social movements of the Asia-Pacific region. The sociological frameworks of analysis include: theories of resource mobilisation and opportunity structures; cognitive framing; theories of new social movements. Research strategies framed by each these orientations are examined through a series of case studies such as: the women's movement; ecology movement; labour movements; and ethnic and gay mobilisation. On completion of the subject students should have a knowledge of the main sociological frameworks for the analysis of social movements and be able to use these frameworks to explore dimensions of a contemporary movement as part of a fieldwork exercise.