Rebellion and revolt: Protest movements in the post-World War II world

What can we learn from the past about how to effect change? This unit explores protest movements from around the world in the second half of the twentieth century. You will become familiar with selected case studies in the contemporary history of political activism; these may include peace/anti-war movements, 1960s student protests, the women’s and gay liberation movements, and the disability rights movement. You will explore the ways that historians have analysed political activism and how historical methods and concepts are useful for understanding the growth, development, strategies and success (or otherwise) of protest movements. Drawing on social movement theory and particularly the idea of ‘contentious repertoires’, you will examine the reasons people rebelled, the ways activists defined and legitimised their struggles, the methods of protest they employed and the reasons for their choices, e.g. violence or non-violence. Particular attention will be paid to the transnational flow of ideas and activist strategy and the figure of the ‘transnational activist’.