Power, State and Social Movements
SO2350 Power, State and Social Movements (10 ECTS credits)
Lecturer(s): Dr Camilla Devitt and Dr David Landy
Module Content/Outline:
Political sociology is concerned with the social bases of politics and the relationship between states and societies. Through examining the nature of power, states, the policy process and social movements, this course provides sociological insights into the world of politics, policy and social change.
The first part of the course introduces students to the major ideas and debates within the field of political sociology and provides them with some of the tools needed to analyse power, politics and the state. In particular, it examines interactions between economic interests, political institutions, and ideological norms. The module has equally strong theoretical and empirical components and aims to expand students’ knowledge of society and politics in a number of countries. Topics include power, the nature of the state and democracy, nationalism, political culture and participation, the organization and representation of interests and globalisation.
The second half of the module focuses on social movements, examining them on the macro, meso and micro levels. We look at the broader context of social movements and whether they are best characterized as challenges to the status quo or a means of institutionalizing and channeling any such challenges. We study how social movements work and what they achieve. We also look at why people get involved and stay involved in movements dedicated to social change. There is a strong practical element to the course, with visiting speakers from social movements in Ireland discussing their own movement activities.
Learning Objectives:
Students successfully completing the module should be able to
- Relate a theoretical understanding of power to policy making and challenges in Ireland
- Discuss sociological explanations of political processes
- Relate this theoretical understanding to empirical data and analyses for more than two advanced democracies.
- Compare and contrast competing approaches in the field
- Discuss key theoretical questions relating to social movements and a ‘politics from below’: framing, recruitment, mobilisation, institutionalisation, and identity in movements
- Apply this theoretical understanding to the practices of social movements in Ireland and elsewhere
Lectures &Tutorials/ Contact hours:
Two lectures and one tutorial per week.
Workload:
Lectures: 44 hrs; Tutorials: 22 hrs; Exams/assignments: 44 hrs; Self-study: 140 hrs. Total: 250 hours
Recommended Texts/ Key Reading:
- Peter Evans, Dietrich Rueschemeyer and Theda Skocpol. 1985. Bringing the State Back In. New York: Cambridge
- Nash, Kate. 2010. Contemporary Political Sociology.Wiley-Blackwell.
- Pierson, Paul. 2001. The New Politics of the Welfare State. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Alinsky, Saul. 1971. Rules for Radicals New York: Vintage Books
- Crossley, Nick. 2002. Making Sense of Social Movements. Buckingham: Open University Press.
- Tarrow, Sidney. 2011. Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Assessment
- Penalties for late submission: Without an authorised extension, the mark given will be lowered by one grade
- Part I: Midterm 'reflective paper' (15%) and an essay (35%)
- Part II: Examination (30%) and coursework (20%).
- Attendance at tutorials is compulsory.
- Examination: 1 x 2-hour end-of-year examination