UCB2 - Media and Global Protest Movements

5 July 2016 – 12 August 2016
Hosted by University of California, Berkeley

This course is concerned with the politics of activism and popular protest movements in international and comparative perspective. It will place special focus on the post-2011 chain of popular uprisings in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and United States.

In the first half of the course, students will be exposed to various social movement theories. Furthermore, they will examine the field dynamics and repertoires of contemporary protest movements and their outcomes.

In the second half of the course, students will learn how to produce a short documentary capturing and/or reflecting on an episode of contention. The San Francisco area is known for its history of activism. It provides a fascinating empirical platform for documentary storytelling on social movements.

Field Trip

The San Francisco Bay Area is an ideal terrain for empirical research on forms of activism. Instructors will arrange for class visits to relevant organization and/or social movement groups that play an important role in articulating social grievances.

Berkeley Study Abroad also hosts weekly co-curricular activities to familiarize students with the Bay Area and with one another.

Target Audience/ Prerequisites

Undergraduate and graduate students with interest at the boundaries of international politics, popular movements and media are welcome to apply. No prior knowledge in academic theories related to analyzing protest movements is necessary, although familiarity with contemporary politics in the Arab world, Europe, and United States would be helpful.

We do not require any prior film-making skills. Students are however required to provide their own video recording & editing devices (a camcorder, iPhone, or a digital camera with a microphone; and a laptop with editing software--such as iMovie), and at least some basic knowledge in operating them.

Please note that this class is NOT suitable for students who do not have a good command of the English language.

Delivery Method & Learning Outcomes

The course will adopt an interdisciplinary approach by offering both academic lectures and documentary production workshops. The class will meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM, with discussion sections from 4:00 - 5:00 PM.

Academic & guest lectures and in-class discussions will take place during the first three weeks. The remaining three weeks will be dedicated to documentary production workshops.

By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the conceptual and methodological approaches relevant to the study of contemporary protest movements around the world, as well as assess the influence of social media in these uprisings;
• Apply these academic approaches to the description, analysis, and interpretation of protest movements across the world map through the methodologies of theory-guided case study analysis and production assignments;
• Comprehend the interrelationship among the political, economic, cultural, and geographic factors that trigger protest movements and impact the interplay between sites of protest and ‘digital public spheres’;
• Produce research assignments and a short documentary pertaining to protest movements, their dynamics and repertoires.

Assessment

The course will rely on student participation and active involvement through writing, documentary viewing and production assignments, as well as in-class discussions.
Attendance is mandatory for all sessions.

Students are expected to produce one research assignment (Midterm) and one short documentary (Final) capturing and/or reflecting on an episode of contention.

• Attendance = 5%
• Participation in class activities/discussion = 15%
• Individual research assignment= 40%
• Short documentary production= 40 %

Credit equivalent at host university & contact hours

5 credits at host university
72 total contact hours (classroom) + 5 field trip hours (excluding self-study hours)

Lecturer(s) / Tutor(s)

Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury, assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, (academic instructor)
S. Leo Chiang, Producer and director (media instructor)
Guest lecturers: professors from other universities and activists from the San Francisco area

Accommodation

Accommodation is subject to change depending on availability.

Students will stay at International House which is a program center and campus residence for students around the world, including the United States.
The mission of the house is to promote cross-cultural experiences and leadership skills for a world of greater understanding.
Students will have a double room reserved for them and the accommodations include 60 meals.

Additional information:

Students must arrive by July 3.
Students will be able to check in from 3:00 PM.
Check-out date: August 13
Students must check out by 10:00AM

Admitted students must apply to housing through a separate application.

Costs

Figures are estimates only. Click on each item for details.

Required and/or Recommended Insurance

International students who come to UC Berkeley to take classes in Summer Sessions are required to have health insurance coverage during the entire length of enrollment.

Students should purchase a health insurance policy before arrival in Berkeley. This policy should cover all medical and hospital costs or provide a minimum of:

• $50,000 (U.S.D.) for each accident or illness,
• a deductible of $500 or less for each accident or illness,
• at least 75% of hospital and physician costs from the time you leave your current residence to the day you plan to return,
• coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.

Students must be sure to bring a full description of the health benefits and an identification card giving the period of validity.

More information can be found here: http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/students/insurance/internationalsummersessions.shtml

Further Required Application Material

Once students have been accepted into the program, they will be required to register for their course through UC Berkeley’s online registration system. They can arrange to pay for the tuition and fees at that time either by credit card or bank wire. Students will register for housing after registering for courses and will make their payment directly to the housing office.

Depending on their citizenship, students will likely be required to obtain a US student visa. Once they have completed their online registration for courses they will be asked to upload a copy of their passport and financial statements to our website for review and they will be issued an I-20 certificate of eligibility, which they will use to apply for a US visa at a consulate in their home country. They are responsible for the SEVIS fee and any other visa application fees.

Further Information

http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu/gsp

For further information, please contact Joy Young This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Student Testimonials

“We had an opportunity to do a presentation in front of a panel of scholars, which was an opportunity that many dream of. After presenting, the panel shared their thoughts which I think further enriched our learning in the GSP course.”

“I love it. A very good experience to work with all of you, and I'm really proud of how far we've come within 6 weeks. Don't want to leave!!”

“The instructors encouraged peer interaction for every lecture session, and I personally got perspectives that I would never [have encountered] if I did not attend.”

“Based on my experience this summer, I am strongly considering applying to Berkeley after I finish my Bachelors degree.”