This course familiarizes students with the theoretical and conceptual issues that are central to the study of social movements. It examines U.S.-based social movements that have gained salience in U.S. politics, including those centered on civil rights policy, identity (race, gender, sexual orientation), health, anti-war and peace efforts, students, free speech, labor, environmental justice, and anti-globalization activities. The course is concerned with how such efforts influence the larger political process, public policy preferences, and the institutional political arena. It looks at pioneering sociological and psychological explanations and more recent interpretations grouped under the broad topic of "new" social movement theory. The course considers in detail the alternative (labor) movement in the United States, beginning in the early twentieth century and continuing to the present, and will draw on the research and theory in works by Piven and Cloward, Tarrow, Morris, Castelles, Garner, Freeman, Touraine, Melucci, Boggs (Carl), and Lynd. No prerequisites. Open to first-year students with Advanced Placement credit in American politics. Format: discussion/lecture. Requirements: several short critical response papers, and one 12- to 15-page final paper. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit:20 (expected: 20). American Politics Subfield

Hour: FRANKLIN