| Unit name | 'Fight the Power': Democracy and Protest |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HIST10068 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Beth Rebisz |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None. |
| Co-requisites |
None. |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Where there is power, there is resistance. From the women’s suffrage movement, the fight for civil rights, anti-colonial nationalism and student protests, to union and labour unrest, anti-austerity demonstrations, and the Arab Springs, protests have been a consistent feature of the modern world. Protests have served to challenge the legitimacy of political authority, expose the failure of representation and express dissatisfaction with received hierarchies. In other words, they have been used to negotiate democracy. Accordingly, this unit explores the historical relationship between democracy and popular protest. It will analyse a range of relevant case studies in order to reflect on how protests have shaped the modern world.
This unit is designed to introduce students to the major themes and debates relating to popular protests, social movements and democratisation. Through lectures, seminars, required readings and independent study, students will acquire a fuller understanding of the history of democracy and protest. By the end of the unit, students will be able to research and discuss key concepts. Students will produce essays, under exam conditions, that demonstrate critical judgement in argument and use of historical evidence.
The key aims of this unit, therefore, are to:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
Summative assessments:
1 x 2500-word Essay (50%) [ILOs 1-4]
1 x Timed Assessment (50%) [ILOs 1-4]
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HIST10068).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
