Academic courses

Academic course

Social Movements

At the centre of the subject are the emergence and development of social movements and the ways in which collective action influences institutions, public debate, economical and political trends and the direction of social change.

Institution WSB Merito University in Wrocław
Term summer semester from the 2024/2025 academic year - taught regularly
Language English

Course scope

The starting point is a sociological analysis of collective action: its origins, organisational forms, mobilisation processes and relationships with the social and political environment. Participants examine major theoretical approaches explaining why people engage in collective initiatives, how social capital and shared identities emerge and which conditions support the continuity of a movement.

The subject addresses resource mobilisation, organisational structures, leadership and networks of cooperation. It also considers communication strategies, the framing of social problems and the role of the media in gaining visibility, public support and legitimacy. Participants compare civil rights, independence, labour, environmental and urban movements, taking account of their distinct objectives, contexts and modes of action.

The teaching approach combines sociological knowledge with practical experience of supporting local communities. Social movements are therefore considered not only as historical or theoretical cases from the perspective of Alain Touraine and David Aberle, but also as everyday practices of cooperation, decision-making and working with limited resources. Particular attention is paid to tensions between a movement’s values, strategy, effectiveness or methods of action and responsibility towards the community it seeks to represent.

Social change is not treated as a straightforward or automatically beneficial process. Participants consider the intended and unintended consequences of collective action, problems of representation and the influence of inequality, conflicting interests and power relations. Openness to different perspectives serves the critical evaluation of arguments and decisions rather than the avoidance of responsible judgement.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the classes, participants are able to:

  • explain the emergence, development and institutionalisation of social movements;
  • apply selected sociological concepts to the analysis of collective action;
  • analyse the significance of resources, leadership, cooperation networks and collective identity;
  • evaluate movement communication strategies and the role of media in shaping public support;
  • compare different forms of civic mobilisation within their social and political contexts;
  • identify ethical dilemmas, power relations and the intended and unintended consequences of collective action.

Teaching methods

  • comparative analysis of historical and contemporary social movements;
  • case studies of mobilisation, leadership and communication strategies;
  • analysis of manifestos, media materials and campaign messages;
  • collaborative diagnosis of a selected form of collective action;
  • facilitated discussion of strategic and ethical dilemmas.

These methods connect theoretical perspectives with careful reflection on decisions made by people involved in actual processes of social change.

Target group

The classes are intended primarily for students of media and communication, marketing, sociology, political science, public policy and journalism. They are also relevant to those interested in civic engagement, non-governmental organisations, public communication and local development.

Academic and professional relevance

The subject develops the ability to interpret collective action, social conflict and processes of change through sociological theory. It provides a foundation for further study of civil society, political communication and contemporary forms of activism.

The competencies developed are relevant to non-governmental organisations, public administration, media, cultural institutions, civic campaigns and local projects. They support responsible planning, analysis of the social context of action and communication with diverse stakeholder groups.