Activism & the Anatomy of Change

Explore what it takes to create positive social and political change

Module details

  • Offered to 1st years
  • Tuesdays 16.00-18.00
  • 8 weeks (autumn or spring term)
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • Non-credit only
How to enrol

Throughout history, big societal and political changes have been brought about by ordinary people coming together to create awareness, momentum and an imperative for change. Collective and sustained action can transform campaigning and individual effort into a social movement.

This module explores the power of ordinary people to change the world for the better. We will draw from historical examples such as the Movement For Women's Suffrage, recent events like the Arab Spring and contemporaneous movements like Black Lives Matter and the Strike for Climate. We will consider activists - what makes these people take action and how do they inspire others to join with them. Finally, we will consider what is required to make change happen - the anatomy of change. 

Information blocks

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • Identify and explore different social movements
  • Research and analyse the contributions of key activists and modes of activism
  • Evaluate the component stages of societal change and create a road map for change
  • Develop a change maker mindset and reflect on your own activist potential

Indicative core content

In this module we will be considering different examples of activism and the power of people to create change in society and the world around us. Together we will explore different imperatives for action such as equality, political change and environmental sustainability. We will examine the Movement for Women's Suffrage, the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter and the Strike for Climate - as well as another example chosen by you during the module. We will dissect these movements looking at key individuals, imperatives for action, drivers for change, power, influence, modes of communication and organisation. We will take a critical view of the concept of progress - looking for example at the recent events in the US where women's rights have been degraded by a Supreme Court judgement. And finally we will produce our own road map for change that draws together everything that we have learned.

What happens in this module?

What you will learn:

  • Key events surrounding prominent examples of social and political change  
  • The role of activism in examples of change making  
  • How individuals can affect change 

What you will do:

  • Create the profile of a Change Maker 
  • Create communications for activism  
  • Reflect on your own activist potential 
  • Design a roadmap for change on an issue of your choosing

Learning and teaching approach

The learning and teaching approach includes whole class discussion and small group work to explore the key concepts and research the background to the examples of social movements and activism that we will be exploring. There will be opportunities for personal reflection - to consider your own values and activist potential in terms of creating the change that you want to experience in the world. We will make individual and team contributions to a directory of activism during our classes as well as coming together to create a road map for change to consolidate the key things that we have learned from studying different examples of activism.

You will receive ongoing formative feedback during the module and then receive written summative feedback with your final grade at the end of the module.

Mapping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this module

We recognise the interrelated nature of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and do not consider individual SDGs in isolation.  We adopt a systems-based approach that recognises their cross-cutting nature. Therefore, your work on each of the case studies in this module will address a number of the SDGs.

In this module, you will have the opportunity to explore the following SDGs:

  • SDG 1 No Poverty (we will explore how poverty was relevant to all our case studies on climate change, women’s suffrage, the Arab Spring and Black Lives Matter).
  • SDG 4­ Quality Education (we will examine the role of education in the change seen in each of our case studies).
  • SDG 5 Gender Equality (we will explore movements for women’s suffrage).
  • SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth (the issue of work and economic growth is intertwined with all the movements studied on this module).
  • SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities (issues of inequality are highly relevant to all the case studies on this module).
  • SDG 13 Climate Action (we will focus on climate change campaigning).
  • SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (our study of the Arab Spring is particularly relevant to the issues of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

You will not be limited to addressing the SDGs highlighted here. Your work will touch on others, and the class will choose an additional case study - providing you with a chance to explore other SDGs in depth as well.

Assessment

  • Coursework - Researcher Reflection (100%)

A research journal that may be written or presented using multimedia entries; equalivalent of 600-1,000 words.

Key information

  • ECTS value: 0
  • Requirements: You must be prepared to attend all classes and to spend about an hour a week preparing for each session
  • This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 4 course. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.‌