Unit information: Politics of Rebellion in 2020/21

Unit name	Politics of Rebellion
Unit code	POLI30038
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Rossdale
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

Revolutions and political resistance form the context for many of the major political, economic and social transformations in global history. The events of the past decade have suggested that this is unlikely to change in the future. These multitudinous rebellions, and the social movements that drive them, are a source of hope and progress and yet also frequently sites of violence and failure. This module explores the politics of rebellion. It introduces students to a variety of theoretical and conceptual tools through which we explore why rebellions emerge and how we might account for their successes and failures. Through a series of case studies including historical and ongoing Black liberation struggles in the US, the Indian independence movement, and contemporary movements in South Africa, Hong Kong and globally with Extinction Rebellion, we also consider the ethics, tactics and strategies of rebellion.

Aims:

- To introduce students to central theories and concepts for understanding rebellion
- To explore key debates surrounding the ethics, tactics and strategies of rebellion
- To apply these theories, concepts and debates to historical and contemporary case studies
- To reflect on how starting with rebellion reshapes our wider understanding of global politics

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

• Understand, evaluate and mobilise key theoretical frameworks for understanding the politics of rebellion.
• Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the historical developments, political antagonisms and social processes through which people rebel
• Reflect critically on central concepts associated with rebellion, such as resistance, revolution, disobedience, protest and social movements
• Identify and engage in substantive debates about the ethics, tactics and strategies of rebellion
• Demonstrate key skills in evaluating and constructing arguments, applying concepts to case studies, and conducting independent research

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

Assessment Information

1,500 word essay (25%) 3,500 word essay (75%)

Both essays test all learning outcomes

Reading and References

• Arendt, H., 1990. On Revolution, London: Penguin
• Davis, A., 2016. Freedom is a Constant Struggle, Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books
• Fanon, F., 2004. The Wretched of the Earth, New York: Grove Press
• Kelley, R., 2002. Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagine, Boston, MA: Beacon Press
• Lorde, A., 2017. Your Silence Will Not Protect You, Silver Press.
• Mahrouse, G., 2014. Conflicted Commitments: Race, Privilege and Power in Transnational Solidarity Activism, Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press