Social Activism and Social Justice

Globally, people stand together in struggles to create a better world. Social justice movements refer to forms of collective action that seek to challenge oppression and transform society.  The overall objective of this module is to provide students with a theoretically informed understanding of these movements, and historical and contemporary attempts to achieve social justice and social change.  This interdisciplinary module will use an intersectional approach to explore social activism and leadership on issues of social justice globally.  It will introduce and examine theories associated with human rights and social justice and leadership – both political and grassroots – alongside theories of social movements and protests.  Case studies of particular social justice campaigns and movements are prioritised with an examination of some important cross-cutting issues.  Examples of social movements covered will include anti-capitalist, feminist, racial justice, climate justice, LGBTIA+ liberation, drawing on both historical and contemporary global case studies.  

By the end of this module, you will:

• Have a theoretically informed and conceptually grounded understanding of social justice, movements and activism
• Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of social justice issues and the varied ways that marginalised groups have mobilised to challenge prevailing social attitudes and to demand a redistribution of power and resources and explore their position in relation to these issues 
• Be in a position to apply their knowledge and understanding to develop arguments and critical perspetices on the dynamics of social justice movements and the challenges they confront locally and globally 
• Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast between case studies in order to generate original, well-researched and evidence-based suggestions to approach one social justice related topic

This is an SCQF Level 10 module and upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits.

Delivery 

This module will last for 12 weeks.  Please note the module will be delivered at Paisley and Lanarkshire campuses.

Timetable information (dates to be confirmed): 

• Workshops: 12pm to 3pm Thursday (Paisley campus)

• Workshops: 12pm to 3pm Friday (Lanarkshire campus)

Course presenter

This module will be delivered by Dr Rebecca Gordon.