GRASSROOTS DEM0CRACY: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS 1960-PRESENT

This course traces the development of protest movements in response to racial, class,  gender, political inequality and resource depletion in the context of U.S. politics and history.  By the end of the term I would like for you to be able to identify the major internal and external factors contributing to the rise and fall of social and political movements. In particular, you should understand the how the following factors intersect and combine: gender, race, ethnicity, culture, class, sexual preference, and resources available (or not) in the physical environment. The common point of reference for each case study is the interplay between the social, economic, and environmental forces present during the development and mobilization of each movement, the strategies and tactics adopted within each movement, the reaction of elites and government officials, and the relative successes and failures of each movement.

Textbooks
1) The Social Movements Readers: Cases and Concepts (2nd Edition) (2009) Edited by Jeff Goodwin and James M. Jasper.
2) Flaherty, Jordan (2010) Floodlines, Community and Resistance from Katrina to the Jena Six.
3) Protest Nation: Words that Inspired a Century of American Radicalism. (2010) Edited by Timothy Patrick McCarthy and John McMillan.
4) Mann, Eric. (2011) Playbook for Progressives: 16 Qualities of the Successful Organizer

CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE

A two-day overnight community organizing retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains led by the trainers at Wellstone Action, a nationally renowned training institute for students and working people. Plus, a one-day follow-up for participants to continue building their skills and community bonds.

Campus Camp Wellstone training in the Santa Cruz mountains: Friday May 4- Sat May 5.& June 8th- a three-day retreat/short course (2 units of SOSC 97- call # TBA) in social change leadership & community organizing. Team taught by Nicky Gonzalez Yuen (YuenNicky@fhda.edu/408-864-8535, Wellstone Action and other fabulous teachers.

There is a $35.00 fee for the retreat. All meals and overnight accommodations are included in this fee, in part through the generous support of DASB (the De Anza Associated Student Body). Scholarships are available for those in need. Please talk to us about this.

PREPARING FOR THE COURSE

• BUY THE BOOKS ASAP (CHECK THE CLASS SCHEDULE AND BUY THEM AS WE GO, BUT PLAN AHEAD)
  
• SIGN UP FOR THE DEANZA CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE AT THE END OF APRIL :) IT''LL BE GREAT!
• CHECK IN WITH THE INSTRUCTOR IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO BE SUCCESSFUL THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER
  
• PARTICIPATE IN CLASS BY ASKING QUESTIONS, ADDING VALUE TO OUR IN CLASS DIALOGUES & BEING PRESENT (ALSO KNOWN AS PAYING ATTENTION)
  
• KEEP AN OPEN MIND!

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

10 weekly journals (1 page, single spaced)                                  - 200 points (20 pts each)
Civic Engagement/Field Work OR Political Issue Concept Papers      - 200 points
(20 hours @ 10 points or 4 papers at 50 points each)
Class Participation                                                                     - 120 points (10 pts per wk)
Movement Building Project                                                         - 200 points total
Analysis of Political Perspective (Protest Nation)                            - 100 points total

Total Points:                                                                              -820 points
EXTRA CREDIT: 50 POINTS - CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE !!! SEE SYLLABUS FOR DETAILS!

ONLINE READINGS CAN BE FOUND HERE
The Making of a Climate Movement
Finding Happiness by Cultivating Positive Emotions
Organizing for the Impossible
The Great Turning
Vital Signs: Race
                 Gender
Perfect Enemies: The Religious Right, The Gay Movements and The Politics of the 1990s
The Basics of Organizing
What's wrong with social movements?
The Civil Rights Modern Timeline
New Voter ID Law - Detroit Free Press



ONLINE CLASS MATERIALS
How to be a successful student?
Civic Engagement Timesheet
Course Evaluation - available the last week of class
Options for Civic Engagement/Service Learning Work
Interactive TIMELINE of Social Change Movements in the US