Theory and History of Social Movements

1. Social movements theories: their historical evolution. The classic paradigms: psychological reductionism, functionalism, mechanistic Marxism. The sixties and seventies: the turn to rationality (rational choice, resource mobilization) and identity (collective identities). Integration attempts since the end of the eighties and new models: framing perspective (cultural and ideological factors), political opportunity (relationship with the political system), networks (forms of organization). The challenges of globalization and the institutionalization and standardization of theory.
2. Historical precedents: the traditional protest and its patterns and repertoires, riots and millenarianism. The nineteenth century: the new identities. Nationalism and its different aspects (irredentism, fascism, anticolonialism, Zionism).
3. The movements for equal rights: labor movement and suffrage. The peculiarities of peasant movements.
4. The "new" social movements of the sixties and seventies. The civil rights movement in the United States. The student movement. Contemporary feminism and LGTB social movements. Pacifism and environmentalism.
5. Globalization and transnational social movements.