1. Historically, social movements in America have used a variety of tactics. Write an essay that examines tactical selection and social movements. First, discuss the different aims that guide tactical selection by social movements. Second, identify and describe the factors that influence tactical selection. Third, examine the ways that social movements often use multiple tactics to achieve their aims. Fourth, using BLM, Arab Spring, or right- wing movements as an example, analyze the factors that have affected their tactical choices.
2. Civil disobedience has become a common tactic for many US social movements. Write an essay that examines the use of social disobedience by US social movements. First, explain what civil disobedience is, its two forms, and which form is utilized by social movements. Second, examine what kinds of social movements tend to use civil disobedience and under what conditions. Third, using BLM, Arab Spring, or right-wing movements as an example, discuss how civil disobedience challenges authority and how it potentially contributes to social change.
3. While Arab Spring and Black Lives Matter build on older forms of activism, they are representative of a new form of activism. Using one of the movements, (1) examine how recent social media technologies have created new opportunities and forms of activism. Specifically, analyze how activists are using social media to mobilize supporters and to organize protest. (2) Both movements are thought to embody new organizational forms, often referred to as horizontalism (e.g., networked movements). Describe this form of organization and its benefits. (3) Discuss drawbacks to social media-based and horizontal forms of activism.
4. Write an essay that examines whether as a society we can “shop our way to social change.” In answering, first, define and discuss political and ethical consumerism. In particular, discuss why there has been a proliferation of ethical consumerism, and the ways that ethical consumerism can lead to social change. Second, explain and discuss Szasz’s critique of ethical/political consumerism and his idea of “inverted quarantine.”
