Racism and Resistance

Module Code: SO7046

ECTS Credit : 10
Mandatory/ Optional : Optional
Module Coordinator : Dr David Ralph
Module Length: 11 weeks ( Hilary Term)

Module Description:

We live in a world in which racism is opposed and denied as often as it is practiced. Viewing racism and anti-racism as collective political acts rather than expressions of individual understanding or ignorance, this module examines how politicised racism and anti-racism is articulated and practiced. The module examines key sites of contemporary racist and ant-racist political activism, drawing on examples such as the Black Lives Matter movement and pro- and anti-refugee solidarity activism in Europe.
Drawing on theories of social movements as well as interrogating the rhetoric of racism and anti-racism, the module firstly examines the rationale and practices of far-right and racist movements. Anti-racist groups have faced both the articulated racism of these groups as well as a more hidden but deeply embedded racism within society, and the module examines the issues such groups face – and how they have responded to these challenges. A key question is whether anti-racist groups have further embedded the language of race and racism in political life. The problems and possibilities of anti-racist activism are examined both with respect to theoretical discussions surrounding anti-racism and post-race, but also through critically analysing the vehicles through which anti-racism is practiced – NGOs and social movements.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion, students are expected to be able to critically:

Apply social movement theories to racism and anti-racism activism
Explain key contemporary conflicts surrounding racism and anti-racism
Develop an understanding of contemporary far-right and racist movements
Evaluate contemporary debates surrounding anti-racism and post-race.

Delivery and syllabus:

The module is delivered in 11 seminar slots consisting of a lecturing input, student participation and informal presentations. Students are expected to read before each session to facilitate discussion.

Main topics

Far right and racist movements and ideologies
Theorising social movements and NGOs
The history and practice of anti-racism
Theoretical critique of anti-racism.
Case studies: Black Lives Matter, The European migrant/refugee crisis.

Recommended Texts

There is no set text, but the following texts will prove useful (all available in the library):

Bonnett, Alastair. 2000 Anti-racism London; New York : Routledge.
Kundnani, Arun. 2015. The Muslims are coming! : Islamophobia, extremism, and the domestic war on terror.
Lentin, Ronit and Elena Moreo. 2012. Migrant Activism and Integration from Below in Ireland, edited by. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Lentin, Alana. 2004. Racism and anti-racism in Europe. London, Pluto
Nyers, Peter and Kim Rygiel. 2012. Citizenship, Migrant Activism and the Politics of Movement by (eds). Abingdon: Routledge
Snow, David, Sarah Soule, and Hanspeter Kriesi (eds). 2007. The Blackwell companion to social movements. Oxford: Blackwell.
Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta. 2016. From #Blacklivesmatter to Black Liberation. Haymarket
Tarrow, Sidney. 2012. Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.