F1HH 5075 - Strategic Nonviolent Action: an evolution of Civil Resistance Movements

The World Order is undergoing substantial transformations, precipitating international crises and threats such as the rise of far-right ideologies, corporate power, and inter-state conflicts. In the face of these challenges, it becomes imperative to understand how social movements can adeptly counter emerging forms of imperialism, colonialism, and repression that seek to polarize communities and subvert processes of social emancipation.

This course delves into the efficacy of strategic nonviolent action as a means to challenge and transform authoritarianism, institutional racism, and armed conflicts by examining historical waves of campaigning. Through the analysis of key campaigns, including the anti-apartheid divestment movement, the US Civil Rights Movement, the Arab Springs the Colour Revolutions or the Iranian women-led campaign “We are all Mahsa”, students will identify and reflect upon essential principles, strategies, tactics, best practices, and critical failures associated with nonviolent action. This exploration will culminate in a collaborative effort with nonviolent movements and groups to develop effective nonviolent actions and campaigns tailored to address current societal issues and challenges.

By the conclusion of this course, students will be adept at recognizing the dynamics, strategies, and dilemmas inherent in nonviolent action. They will gain an understanding of the ability of nonviolent movements to operate within high-risk areas, even amidst armed conflicts. Moreover, students will explore the relationship between actors engaged in civil resistance, unarmed civilian peacekeeping, and state forces. Additionally, this course will explore the democratizing potential of nonviolence and the impact nonviolent disruption can have on the supply chains of multinational corporations.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the principles, dynamics and strategy of nonviolence as effective tools to counter authoritarism, to resist occupation and transform armed conflicts;

2. Analyze historical waves of nonviolent campaigns, identifying both successful strategies and shortcomings in order to glean best practices;

3. Design impactful nonviolent actions by engaging with real-life campaigns and movements, ensuring effectiveness in achieving strategic goals.

Professional Skills:

1. Categorize nonviolent campaigns, outlining their methods and evaluating the achieved results in the context of social transformation.
2. Recognize the significance of defining constructive programs and exploring political alternatives.
3. Explore the relationship between community organizing and disruptive actions.
4. Develop strategies and tools to confront repression while safeguarding activists.
5. Acknowledge the pivotal role of nonviolent groups during the peak of armed conflict crises.
6. Strategically plan nonviolent campaigns targeting both public and private actors for maximum effectiveness.

Felip DAZA

Séminaire

English

• In Class Presence: 4 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 9,4 hours during 7 weeks / 66 hours a semester

• Research and Writing for Individual Essays: 5 hours during 4 weeks / 20 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 4 hours during 8 weeks / 40 hours a semester
Total: 150 hours

None

Spring 2023-2024

This course aims to explore the concept of nonviolent action by analyzing various campaigns and movements. Our goal is to establish a meaningful dialogue that bridges the principles of nonviolence, the strategies employed by different campaigns, and the specific tactics activists use to achieve their objectives. Throughout this process, we will not only identify best practices but also examine failures and dilemmas within the nonviolent movement.

Within this framework, two assignments are introduced to delve into both the theoretical and practical aspects of nonviolent action. The first involves an individual essay reflecting on a specific nonviolent movement, applying the theoretical frameworks covered in the course. The second assignment is a group-based activity that entails designing, planning, or assessing a nonviolent action or campaign in collaboration with real-life movements and activists. Both assignments will be evaluated with comments and graded on a scale out of 20.

The assessment of both assignments, along with active participation in class, will be structured as follows: personal essay (40%), strategic planning of the campaign/action (40%), and in-class participation (20%)

The course adopts a Flipped Classroom model using the virtual education platform Moodle. Students will have access to educational materials, including reading materials, videos and podcasts. The virtual space also includes forums for sharing reflections, addressing doubts, or making any comments related to the course.

In-class teaching sessions will serve as interactive forums to reflect on and discuss the content outlined in the reading materials and pre-recorded videos. The instructor will facilitate discussions, introduce new concepts, provide best practices and real examples, and propose experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. In addition, special guests will participate in certain lectures to share their experiences in engaging with nonviolent campaigns. These sessions will provide unique opportunities to engage in dialogue with activists from around the globe who are fighting against injustice.