General information
-
Academic year:
- 2026
-
Description:
- Social movements have become increasingly relevant worldwide as collective actors. Their voices are amplified across borders by elements such as digital networks and technology. This course introduces the central concepts and the main theories of collective action and contentious politics. It examines how globalization shapes social movements and how they in turn influence social and political change. It analyses their impact on public policy and their intersection with class, gender and political identity.
-
ECTS credits:
- 6
-
Course coordinator:
- Alberto Martin Alvarez
Groups
Group
DS
-
Duration:
- One-semester, 1st semester
-
Teaching staff:
- Alberto Martin Alvarez
-
Language of the classes:
- English (100%)
Group
EN
-
Duration:
- One-semester, 1st semester
-
Teaching staff:
- Alberto Martin Alvarez
-
Language of the classes:
- English (100%)
Syllabus
1.
Introduction and basic concepts
2. The study of social movements and theories of social mobilisation
3. How and when do social movements arise?
4. Repertoires and cycles of protest
5.
What do social movements say? The cognitive frameworks.
6. Recruitment and participation
7. Mobilisation structures: networks and organisations
8. Coalitions and advocacy networks
9.
Impacts of social movements
10. Case studies
Activities
|
Activity type
|
Hours with a teacher
|
Hours without a teacher
|
Virtual hours with a teacher
|
Total
|
| Analysis / case study |
10,00 |
30,00 |
3,00 |
43,00 |
| Information search and analysis |
16,00 |
0
|
0
|
16,00 |
| Assessment test |
4,00 |
20,00 |
44,00 |
68,00 |
| Theory class |
35,00 |
15,00 |
45,00 |
95,00 |
| Hands-on class |
0
|
10,00 |
0
|
10,00 |
|
Total
|
65,00 |
75,00 |
92,00 |
232 |
Bibliography
- Castells, M. (2015). Networks of Outrage and Hope: Social Movements in the Internet Age. Cambridge: Polity Press.
- Tarrow, S. (2022). Power in Movement . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Della Porta, D ; Diani, M. (1998). Social Movements, An Introduction. . London: Blackwell Publishing.
- Tilly, Ch., Castañeda, E. Wood, L. (2019). Social Movements, 1768-2018. New York and London: Routledge.
- Clover, J (2016). Riot. Strike. Riot: The New Era of Uprisings. London: Verso Books.
- Almeida, P. (2019). Social Movements: The Structure of Collective Mobilization. Oakland: University Of California Press. Catàleg
Assessment and Grading
Assessment activities:
|
Description of the activity
|
Assessment Activity
|
% |
Remediable subject
|
| In - person practical activities |
Correctness in analysis and writing. Systematising information. |
35 |
No |
| Global Week |
Full and active participation in the activities |
5 |
No |
| Exam |
Analytical correctness |
60 |
Yes |
Grading
The grade will be the sum of the marks for the in - person practical activities (35%), Global Week (5%) and the exam (60%). HOWEVER, TO PASS THE COURSE YOU MUST PASS THE EXAM. Otherwise, you will fail the entire course.
The practical activities are carried out in person. To be able to take the continuous assessment exam, it is necessary to hand in all practical activities.
Specific criteria for the "No show" grade:
Those students who do not participate in the course, do not complete the assignments or the work, and do not inform the professor during the first two weeks of the course that they will be taking the single assessment, will be considered Unpresented.
Single Assessment:
Those students who, for a justified reason, opt for the single assessment will have to pass a written exam and submit a course assignment.
Minimum requirements to pass:
To pass the course, a minimum grade of 5.0 is required.
Mentorship
Tutorials will be held in person or online. You need to contact the professor by email in advance to arrange a day and time.
Communication and interaction with students
The communication will take place in person and also online.
Remarks
The required reading will be announced during the course.
The use of artificial intelligence tools is not permitted.
In cases where the teaching staff have doubts about the authorship of any assessment, the student may be summoned for a face-to-face or synchronous interview (which may be recorded), with the aim of verifying the student's knowledge and skills and ensuring the authenticity of the assessment. If it is not possible to guarantee that the student is the author of the work, it will be marked as failed.