Everyday Forms of Resistance
Africana Studies (course 01:014:383)
Location
Office: Beck Hall 112 Office Hours:
Telephone: WED 11:00-12:00 and by appointment
email:
Course Description
This focuses on instances in which ordinary citizens forge ways to address the political system when, for various reasons, “normal” channels are unavailable. These activities include social movements and everyday forms of resistance. To gain a better understanding of why, how, and when ordinarily quiescent masses attempt to impact the political process, we will analyze slave narratives, social movement theory, and popular culture, as well as hidden transcripts, which Scott defines as those activities that oppressed groups use to deflect, survive, and reject the demands of the powerful. This allows us to study politics as it is, in Parenti’s word, “viewed from the bottom.”
The goal of this course is to encourage the development of a variety of academic skills through written assignments and a midterm and final exam. Students will gain research skills through the completion of a research project on a social movement or resistance activities that utilizes both outside research and in-class materials. They will also learn to critically analyze non-verbal texts such as films, music, and art for their political content, historical relevance, and political impact.
Students who want to do well in this course should follow a simple but proven formula: come to class regularly and on time; pay attention and ask questions for clarification; read thoroughly and before class discussion; contribute regularly to discussions; complete assignments carefully and promptly; and finally, use office hours and contact the instructor if you are still experiencing difficulties after completion of the previously outlined steps.
Required Texts (Available in the Bookstore)
All books are at bookstore and readings are on library reserved.
Alinsky, Saul D. 1971. Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realist Radicals. NY, NY: Vintage.
Grooms, Anthony. 2001. Bombingham. NY, NY: Ballantine Books.
Hayward, Clarrissa Rile. 2000. De-Facing Power. NY, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Kaplan, Laura. 1995. The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Ransby, Barbara. 2003. Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.
Scott, James. 1992. Domination and the Art of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Course Requirements and Grading
Participation. Class participation involves two components: careful and respectful attention to classmates and regular contributions that demonstrate comprehension. It is important to participate as a speaker AND as a fully engaged and active listener. Attendance is mandatory. After your first absence, your grade will be reduced by a third of a letter grade for EACH absence thereafter.
Reading Assignments. Students are expected to read materials prior to class and come prepared to participate. Discussions must be based on the readings but can move beyond them.
Midterm Assignment. You will be required to complete a midterm assignment based on the readings that we have covered through spring break. See the end of the syllabus. Due on __at the start of class.
Case Study Analysis Paper. Students will be required to conduct research on a case study of their choosing and approved by the instructor. This paper is a well researched and cited case study that is augmented by analysis based on class material. It will be distributed separately.
Final Exam. Students will be given a take home final that will be distributed on the last day of class and due during our regularly scheduled final exam period.
Grade Breakdown. Final grades will be calculated using the following percentage distribution:
Class Participation 10% Midterm Assignment 25%
Final Exam 25% Case Study Analysis 40%
Late Assignments and Missed Exams. Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for each day they are late including weekends. Failure to submit assignments or take exams at the scheduled time will result in a grade of zero. Exceptions must be cleared in advance and are only granted with documentation.
Attendance. Class participation is a vital component of this class; therefore, attendance is both critical and mandatory. Students with good attendance records whose final grades fall in the gray zone on the border between grades will be rewarded for regular attendance.
Academic Honesty. All of the work you do in this course is expected to be your own. Absolutely no cheating or plagiarism (using someone else’s words or ideas without proper citation) will be tolerated. Any cases of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the university committee on academic misconduct and handled according to university policy.
Disability. Students with disabilities are responsible for making their needs known and seeking assistance in a timely manner. Course materials are available in alternative formats upon request. The instructor should be notified early in the semester, especially before turning in any graded assignments.
Office Hours. If you find yourself experiencing difficulties with the course, speak with me as soon as possible. Taking corrective steps early is a strategy that promotes mastery of the material and a desirable outcome in terms of your grade. In addition, please stop by to discuss any course-related information or feedback. I will be available in my office on Wednesdays from 11 to 12. In the case of class conflicts only, we can schedule an appointment for another time.
Course Schedule and Reading List[1]
Politicking Below the Radar: Everyday Forms of Resistance
2/3 Fight the Power?
Read: Hayward, De-Facing Power
2/10 Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Resistance
Read: Blassingame, The Slave Community, Chapter 4
Scott, Weapons of the Weak, Chapters 5 & 7
Scott, Domination and the Arts of Resistance, Chapters 1,2,5-7
Film: “Church Ladies for Choice”
2/17 Understanding the Hidden Transcript: Disguise as a Political Tool
Film: “The Spook Who Sat By the Door”
2/24 Pop Culture and Politics (Bring Your Own Political Music and Poetry to Share)
Read: Davis, “Blame it On the Blues”
Shea, “Introduction: Popular Culture—The Trojan Horse of American Politics”
Rogers & Smith, “Popular Populism: Political Messages in Country Music…”
3/3 Getting Around the State: Women and Subversive Politics
Read: Kaplan, The Story of Jane
MIDTERM DUE AT BEGINNING OF CLASS
Social Movements and Mass Mobilization
3/24 Challenging the State: Social Movements Defined
Read: Flacks, “Think Globally, Act Politically”, Chapter 3
McAdam, Political Process & the Development of Black Insurgency, Chpts 1-3
Tarrow, Power in Movements, Chapter TBA
3/31 Ella Baker: A Model For Successful Activism
Read: Ransby, Ella Baker, entire book (but esp. Intro, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, & 12)
Film: “Fundi”
4/7 Student Activism: Idealism Meets the Real World
Read: McAdam, Freedom Summer
4/14 Organizing for Change
Read: Alinsky, Rules for Radicals
4/21 Beyond Civil Rights: Identity and Interests as Organizing Tools
Read: Johnston et. al., “Identities, Grievance, and New Social Movements”, Chapter 18
Bullard, Dumping in Dixie, Chapters 1 & 5
Kelly, Tangled Up in Red White and Blue, Chapter 4
Film: “Sound and Fury”
4/28 Rules of Engagement: Mobilizing Style, Movement Success & State Repression
Read: Marx Feree, “Soft Repression”
McPhail & McCarthy, “Protest Mobilization, Protest Repression, and Their Interactioni
Bergman, Lewis, and Shuttlesworth, “Facing Up to Southern Terror
Braden, “In the Midst of the Storm”
Film: “When Billy Broke His Head…”
5/5 Experiencing Protest: The Costs and Consequences of Activism
Read: Grooms, Bombingham
Graded Assignments
Midterm Assignment
For your midterm you will be required to write a 7 page paper that is typed, stapled, and double spaced with one-inch margins and a reasonable font size that analyzes a particular film, event, photo, or other form of imagery using the information we have covered thus far in the course. In the first half of the class we discussed everyday forms of resistance by examining the multiple strategies that subjugated groups used to carve out a space for power and dignity within oppressed societies. The scholarship we have covered examines authoritarian societies that are hierarchical and difficult to penetrate. Though what we read about here are cases of extreme injustice, there are a lot of examples of everyday forms of resistance that individuals engage in daily.
Look around you and find an example of people who are politicking below the radar in ways that are similar to our readings. What would the scholars we have read thus far say about the examples you offer? This assignment serves two purposes. First, it is a way for you to apply the abstract theories and concrete examples from the class to your own environment. Second, it is a tangible way for me to assess your performance in the first half of the class. Because it serves more than one purpose, it is important that you fulfill them both well. You should really think about an example that allows you to flesh out the concepts we have discussed in class. You cannot rely on just one reading or even one set of readings. YOUR ESSAY MUST BE COMPREHENSIVE, DETAILED, AND WELL CITED. If your example does not lend itself to a thorough discussion of course concepts then you should choose another example.
NOTE: This paper is due at the beginning of class. Not following basic directions will result in a ten point deduction.
4
[1] NOTE: This schedule is a rough outline and may be adjusted to class needs at the instructor’s discretion.