What will I learn on this module?
On this module you will explore the ways individuals and communities come together to challenge injustice and inequalities. The module is particularly concerned with the ways ordinary people try to challenge and resist the powerful and advocate for and develop more just ways of organising society. You will critically explore both contemporary and historical ways of understanding and theorising activism and resistance, including studying historical and more contemporary social movements, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Anti-War Movement and Guerrilla Gardening. A variety of case study examples will be examined each year, such as analysing anti-corporate activism and boycotts, environmental activism, and diverse forms of feminist activism. You will analyse how and why people choose to take stand and what impact it has on them, as well as exploring different strategies of protest and resistance, such as violent and non-violent protest, activism via social media, and creativity as a form of activism and resistance. Cutting across North-South boundaries, you will engage with both UK and international examples to analyse the extent to which individuals and communities have been able to challenge the powerful, and the impacts this has had both immediately, and over time.
How will I learn on this module?
You will participate in a mix of online lectures (one hour pre-recorded and one hour live interactive) and workshop activities, including role-plays, whole group discussion, small group activities, research tasks, short presentations, and debates. The module will draw on a range of resources, including films and other media, both contemporary and historical. You will be expected to read identified key texts in advance of each workshop to enable participatory discussion. You will be asked to bring in contemporary examples of activism from the media and the internet to support class activities and discussions.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by the teaching team through seminars and Blackboard, supplemented by one to one tutorials and email. You will be given contact details and office hours for the teaching team to enable them to book tutorials and ask questions by email.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding
1. You will be able to critically analyse historical and contemporary concepts of activism, resistance and social change, and the changing social, political, economic and cultural contexts in which different forms of activism take place
2. You will be able to draw upon relevant Sociological theory to understand and analyse different examples of activism and resistance
Intellectual / Professional skills and abilities
1. You will be able to select the appropriate tools for analysing and comparing different forms and strategies of resistance, and the impacts of activism across different sectors of society.
2. You will be able to select and analyse a range of diverse resources including media, film, NGO reports, and internet resources, to enable you to engage critically with activism and resistance.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA)
1. You will develop a critical and comparative understanding of diverse examples of activism across the global North and South
How will I be assessed?
You will submit a summative 1,500 word annotated bibliography in week 7, and a summative 2,000 word written essay in week 12, in response to a question/s provided in the Module Guide and discussed within the workshops. Extensive assessment advice will be provided in the Module Guide, on the e-learning portal and during lectures/workshops.
Formative assessment will include small group presentations presenting a research task undertaken in the workshop, and peer assessment of an essay plan.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code L300
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Social Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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