ANTHR 1169 - FWS: The Politics of Protest: Theory and Practice

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

First-Year Writing Seminar.

A. Grabiner Keinan.

Focusing on the study of protest and activism, this seminar explores the complex relationship between individuals and their society. What is the role of individuals in both maintaining and challenging their socio-political world? How do people imagine change? What might enable and motivate them to act? How can we analyze the effects of activism? We will explore these questions in relation to key political concepts such as hegemony, solidarity, and resistance, as well as through an analysis of contemporary protests. Readings will include texts by H. Arendt, F. Fanon, D. Graeber, and A. Gramsci, as well as newspaper articles and blogs. Writing assignments such as reading responses, argumentative essays, and an analytical research paper would enable students to critically examine socio-political notions and processes.