HIS 115(C) - History of Social Justice Movements

Credit(s): 3
3 lecture hours
MassTransfer Block Code: Humanities/Fine and Performing Arts
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist Desmond Tutu once claimed, “When people decide they want to be free, there is nothing that can stop them.” But how do people confront injustice to bring about change? How and why do social justice movements emerge and succeed? How do the conditions of their success vary across time and space? And, how do we write the story of past social justice movements? This course introduces students to the history of social justice movements around the world. Specifically, we will read and write about the words, events, and people who have fought against colonialism, global corporate control, racism, tyranny, resource, and worker exploitation. Additionally, we will learn about the roots, identities, failures, and successes of past movements for social justice and, in doing so, reveal the connections between those struggles and the issues that affect our lives today.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101

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