Sparking Social Change
| Module title | Sparking Social Change |
|---|---|
| Module code | POC2099 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | James Muldoon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
This course is designed to provide you with an analytic framework for understanding the dynamics of social change and the practical tools for starting change initiatives. Through an interdisciplinary approach, our goal is to connect theoretical accounts of social transformation with the applied skills of strategic analysis, project planning and effective communication. Across the globe people are organising on an unprecedented scale to contest political power and take action on pressing social issues. The focus of this course is on the role individuals can play in social change through community organising, social movements and NGOs. It is intended for students seeking to develop practical strategies to create meaningful change in their communities.
No prior knowledge skills or experience are required to take this module and it is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students. The module is suitable for students studying Politics and History.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to provide an introduction to frameworks of social change and the practical skills you will need to start change initiatives. You will be taught how to demonstrate that there is a need for change by identifying a current pressing problem and analysing what change needs to occur. You will then be taught how to develop a strategic plan based on their research and analysis.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of various frameworks of change
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge of aspects of the history of social
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Assimilate taught materials and utilise them to write a situation analysis that provides evidence for a coherent and viable change project.
- 4. Demonstrate knowledge of skills required to design a strategic plan including developing a clear and realistic objective, a well-structured and evidence-based strategy and providing mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Research and write analytical essays;
- 6. Formulate critical arguments; and
- 7. Communicate arguments effectively through written submissions.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover different theories of social change, and focus on most of the following themes:
- An introduction to social change
- Frameworks of change – exploring how theory can help us understand how activists, community organisers, movement builders and digital campaigners affect social change
- Situation analysis – understanding social change through research and fieldwork
- Practical case studies – factors influencing success and failure of social movements
- Social movement strategy – for example, political framing, public narratives, communication skills
- In the final section, each student will produce their own strategic plan with real world implications based on their analysis and research.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 58 | Directed reading |
| Guided Independent Study | 6 | to complete the readings note |
| Guided independent study | 24 | for completing the situation analysis |
| Guided independent study | 40 | for completing the strategic plan |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Readings note | 300 words | 1,2,4 | Written or verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Plan | 65 | 3,000 words | 1-7 | Written |
| Situation Analysis | 35 | 2,000 words | 1-7 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Plan | Essay (3,000 words) | 1-7 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Situation Analysis | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-7 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Marshall Ganz, “Leading Change: Leadership, Organization, and Social Movements,” in Nitin Nohria and Rakesh Khurana (eds.), Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice: A Harvard Business School Centennial Colloquium
Hahrie Han, “The Organizational Roots of Political Activism: Field Experiments on Creating a Relational Context” American Political Science Review (2016)
Drew Westen, “Writing An Emotional Constitution”, The Political Brain: the Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 05/06/2017 |
